Controversy surrounds Tay Grin’s new hit song “Chipapapa” barely a week after its release.
The DJ Sley produced song which features Nigeria’s 2face is currently number three on malawi-music.com top 10 charts.
“It has come to my attention that there’s an alleged theft of the song Chipapapa. A reporter from one of the local print media houses called me on Sunday, alleging there’s a boy who claims I stole his song titled Chipapapa”, Tay Grin posted on his Facebook page on Sunday.
He went on to say that the development was unfortunate because he wrote the song after DJ Sley had sent him the beat in October last year and 2Baba wrote his part.
“I’ve never heard of or met this boy or heard his alleged track. Let me set the record straight, I’d never steal someone’s song or work. Look out for more bangers coming! #2016goals,” stressed the Nyau Music rapper.
According to reports, Lilongwe based up and coming rapper Zika B claims that producer Marcus of Dare Devils made the beat and sold it to DJ Sley who later sold it to Tay Grin.
However, Marcus denied the claims saying he never sold the beat and both songs have different concepts altogether.
“Zika B sent me the beat through WhatsApp, it sounded like a demo so I told him that I will try to remix it out of good will,” Marcus said in an interview on Monday.
He then pointed out that the only similarity between the two songs is kids singing on the chorus.
“Zika B’s song is a crunk beat totally different from Tay’s. To be honest with you, I just started seeing Tay’s Chipapapa artwork two weeks ago next thing I heard it was out. There has been no communication between me and Tay or DJ Sley,” he explained.
According to Marcus, although he produced the beat he couldn’t even play the song on his Joy radio show because the Zika B song was not well coordinated, not airplay material.
In his remarks, DJ Sley said the beat was made from scratch and Tay Grin came up with the concept after getting the beat.
“I believe the kid is just seeking attention, after all, “Chipapapa” is a folk song and nobody can claim ownership. However, everyone is entitled to their opinion. He can say whatever he wants but he won’t benefit anything,” emphasized DJ Sley.
According to Malawi-music.com, Zika-B, real name Stanley Zikabuma,started music in 2010 and went official in 2013. He was working on his mixtape “Kubooleza” which was scheduled for December release.
He has already worked with some artists like Saint, Sanjie, Jay Jay Cee and Piksy.
Zika B could not be reached to comment.Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :