Culture

Ghanaian music producer wins $250k in copyright damages against CAF

Published

2 months ago

July 17, 2024

A Ghanaian music producer, Kwabena Ofei-Kwadey Nkrumah, also known as Spiky, has won $250,000 and legal costs of GH¢40,000 against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after he sued the football governing body for intellectual property rights violations.

Nkrumah had dragged CAF to the Commercial Court 7 in Accra for not seeking permission from him before using the beat of his music titled, ‘Okomfo Anokye,’ as part of promotional materials for the 2018 CAF awards.

While delivering judgement in the case on Wednesday, Justice Emmanuel Loddoh who presided over the case found CAF guilty of failing to obtain legal permission before using Nkrumah’s music.

Nkrumah who spoke after the verdict went in his favour, said CAF’s act of using his song without permission was a total disrespect for his intellectual property rights, causing him to lose money from any licensing of his music for commercial use.

Before instituting the lawsuit, Spiky had called out CAF in 2029 for copyright infringement in a series of tweets.

He had noted that even though CAF had sent an email admitting to using his work without his consent and had apologised, they did not reply to him when he made a demand for compensation.

“This is a win for the creative industry: CAF vs Spiky’s,” he wrote on social media.

While admitting to the offence, CAF said the musical work was “available online for free download without any restrictions or conditions, to use for the artwork posted on CAF’s social media platforms.”

They however, denied using the soundtrack for commercial purposes, citing that the CAF Awards was not a profit-making venture.

They further explained that they had deleted the work from their social media accounts and apologised to Spiky.

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Culture

Algeria to host Afreximbank’s CANEX 2024

Published

10 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced that the 2024 edition of its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX 2024) will hold in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, with the theme, “One People, United in Culture.”

According to a statement from the bank, the CANEX 2024, which is a premier event that showcases Africa’s vibrant creative and cultural industries, will be the major focus of the four-day event taking place from October 16-19.

“CANEX 2024 offers a unique platform for creatives from across the continent and beyond, to showcase their work, network with industry leaders, and explore business opportunities, including exhibitions, roundtable discussions, masterclasses, live performances, gastronomy showcases, music, dance, poetry, and other artistic expressions,” the statement said.

“Since the event was launched in 2020, it had committed a $1bn facility for Africa’s creative and cultural industries, and has deployed specialised products for financing some CCI sectors, including the Film Financing Development Facility and the Music Development facility.

“The bank has also identified key gaps in creative production value chains, and created interventions to bridge those gaps, with a focus on access to markets.

“The event will be a gathering of creatives, investors, and industry professionals from across the continent and the world over.

“CANEX WKND 2024 will feature an exhibition and market, roundtable discussions, masterclasses, live performances, and networking opportunities. The event is open to industry professionals, individuals, corporate investors, and governance bodies. It provides a unique platform for creatives to showcase their work, connect with industry leaders, and explore business and investment opportunities,” the statement added.

Culture

SA rapper Khuli Chana to pay special tribute to AKA at the DSTV Delicious Festival

Published

1 day ago

September 6, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African rapper, Khuli Chana, has revealed that he will pay tribute to his friend and mentor, the late Kiernan Forbes, also known as AKA, who was shot dead outside a restaurant in Kwazulu-Natal on February 10, 2023.

The ‘Motswako” hit maker disclosed that he plans to pay tribute to AKA at the upcoming DSTV Delicious International Food & Music Festival which will take place on September 21.

Chana said he will honour the life and legacy of AKA who was known for hits like “Fela in Versace” and “All Eyes on Me”, and was recognised worldwide for his impact on hip-hop in Africa.

Chana who shared the news on his Instagram page wrote:

“It is an honour to rock the @dstvdeliciousfestival stage in celebration of the life SUPA Mega @akaworldwide on 21st of September. It is gonna be EPIC!”

He accompanied the post with a video in which he said:

“I’ll be running, Jozi. I have been so patient. I am trying to keep my composure. I’ll be going on the super mega level.”

He also shared his excitement about the festival asking people to be at their best. “Bring that best energy, best behaviour, great company.”

Chana and AKA shared a long history of collaboration and had worked together on several singles before their 2015 hit ‘Baddest’, which also featured Yanga and Nigerian Afrobeat sensation, Burna Boy. They had also collaborated for ‘Prada’ which was release in 2023.

According to the organizers, this year DStv Delicious Festival will be celebrating 30 years of Creative Freedom in South Africa and will unite people of all cultures and backgrounds through the enjoyment of music, art, fashion, and great food.