Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THE release of Jah Prayzah’s latest 14-track album, “Ndini Mukudzei”, has been overshadowed by explosive allegations of plagiarism by Chimurenga musician Kurai Makore.
Makore, the nephew of United States-based Chimurenga music icon Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo, says he was surprised to discover that the sound of Jah Prayzah’s song “Moto” closely resembles his own track “Kanyarugwe”, which was released in 2022.
Jah Prayzah loyalists and online commentators are angry with Makore for what they claim is an attempt to soil the new project.
“Kurai Makore is someone who avoids drama, but what Jah Prayzah’s camp did was uncalled for because they are benefitting from something they did not create,” said a senior member of Makore’s team.
“When Jah Prayzah released his song ‘Moto’ last week, we immediately noticed the similarities and discussed it as management.
“We did not want to make a fuss, as it might have seemed like jealousy. The only thing we did was inform Kurai Makore, and he is disappointed.”
Makore recorded his song in 2022 and uploaded it on YouTube in 2023.
“We are demanding answers from Jah Prayzah’s camp to resolve this issue. We cannot allow people to exploit our work because creating music is not easy, and for others to simply plagiarise it is unacceptable,” the Makore insider added.
Makore confirmed he had contacted Jah Prayzah’s team regarding the matter.
“I have contacted them, and they said they would definitely look into it. I am just disappointed that someone as prominent as Jah Prayzah could do such a thing,” Makore told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
“I know it might sound like I am jealous, but I have no problem with him, and I raised this now because it is still relevant.
“For your information, I recorded that song in 2022 and even uploaded it in 2023. I think they became interested in my music when I expressed my desire to collaborate with them on some projects. I suspect that they started going through my discography, which led them to steal the beat of that particular song.”
Makore added that he was still waiting to hear from Jah Prayzah’s camp before taking further action.
“Like I said, I do not want conflict with anyone, but it is up to them to explain how they arrived at this situation. Art is a way of expressing yourself, and it takes a lot of sacrifice to record one’s work …,” he said.
“I have my own way of arranging music, a style I inherited from my elder (Mapfumo), and if someone copies my work, I can tell.”
Makore said he is shocked that Victor Stot, Jah Prayzah’s producer, could have plagiarised his beat.
“If his producer did this deliberately, then we, as a creative sector, are in trouble and regressing,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Jah Prayzah’s manager Keen Mushapaidze said he was yet to listen to the song’s beat.
“I am yet to listen to that song (‘Kanyarugwe’), but as for the said beat, it is an old folk song. The only issue now is that it gets attention when it is done by Jah Prayzah. It is just like any other folklore song,” he responded.
Copyright law expert and Zimbabwe Music Rights Association deputy director Henry Makombe said Makore should lodge his complaint through proper channels.
“In cases where an artiste feels their song has been plagiarised, be it the beat or lyrics, we advise them to file a complaint with us so that we can provide them with the steps to follow,” he said.
“After receiving the complaint, we then refer the matter to the complaints resolution committee to investigate it. If we discover that the case is genuine, it is as good as theft. Before we take the matter up, we give the two parties a platform for an out-of-court settlement, where they can agree on a fee the aggrieved party should receive as a result of the infringement.
“If the accused party is not forthcoming, then we take the matter further and some form of punishment will be imposed.
“Our duty is also to advise the aggrieved party on the correct steps to follow in an effort to resolve this matter once and for all.”
This is not the first time Jah Prayzah is being stalked by allegations of this nature.
In an interview in 2014, JP admitted to copying the beat on his song “Mwanasikana”, off the album “Tsviriyo”, from Ghanaian musician Emmanuel Samini’s 2007 hit track titled “Samini”.
He faced criticism on social media after an online publication accused him of “stealing” the song as there were striking similarities between “Mwanasikana” and “Samini”.
“I was watching an African movie and I enjoyed the soundtrack. I did not know it was a released song (on the market). I just thought it was a track made for the movie. The beat was good and I was tempted to use it on one of my songs,” Jah Prayzah was quoted as saying.
Notwithstanding the latest claims, Jah Prayzah, who album launch was oversubscribed, remains unfazed.
Last week, he said his new offering, “Ndini Mukudzei”, was his best album ever based on feedback.
“I think this album has a lot of songs that resonate with people. And I think of the many projects I worked on, this might be the best,” he said.
Online Reporter