Zimbabwean Artiste Accused Of Stealing Samini's Music

IN another embarrassing low point for Zimbabwean music and creativity, NewZimbabwe.com can exclusively reveal that Jah Prayzah 'stole' a song off his Tsviriyo album passing it off as his own and grabbing several accolades from its appeal.

A Ghanaian Favourite

Entitled Samini, the original track is meant to announce a change of name in the artiste's stage name – from Batman to Samini – and declares that he is here in his new identity to entertain his fans.

It was a Ghanaian favourite when it was released back in the middle of the last decade and receiving national airplay and appeal.

Jah Prayzah's stolen version celebrates a woman who is dressed smartly and entices him; a woman even admired by his relatives as a potential daughter-in-law.

While the meaning of the songs is different, Jah Prayzah pilfered the arrangement of the song and the harmonies, complete with background chants and passed them off as his own.

Although, it is permissible to do so provided one clearly states that their song at least contains an interpolation of a previous work of art that does not belong to them, Jah Prayzah did not do so on his album sleeve, choosing to conveniently 'forget' to credit the original artiste.

Meticulous work in both Ghana and Zimbabwe and the use of multiple plagiarism busting devices and applications including Shazam, by NewZimbabwe.com proved to be the standard that caught Jah Prayzah out.

However, when reached for comment, the otherwise trailblazing star decided to cede his right to defend himself or comment on the allegations.

His no contest plea will do nothing to douse the flames of art theft that threaten to immolate him and his previously celebrated reputation as an intensely creative artiste.

"I'm not going to comment on the issue and advise you to just run the story. I don’t want to cause problems with further comment on the issue," said Jah Prayzah whose real name is Mukudzeyi Mukombe.

However, when reached for comment, Ghanaian music star Samini said he would respond appropriately as he is preoccupied with events to mark 10 years of his professional career.

But he hinted that the song may have leaked in South Africa, where the video was shot.

H/T - NewZimbabwe.com