Hammer, the song’s producer, has come out three months after Obrafour sued Canadian rapper Drake for using a sample from the remix of his song “Oye Ohene.”
In response to Mantse Aryeequaye, whose voice Drake exploited, Hammer has stated that Obrafour spearheaded the lawsuit on behalf of all those who participated to the song’s composition.
Speaking with Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, Hammer stated that if Obrafour wins the case, it will be beneficial to all those involved in the production.
Following the uproar, Nii Mantse said on Twitter that since his voice was sampled, he ought to have been a part of the lawsuit.
However, Hammer says that there is nothing to worry about.
“It is everybody on the song against Drake. Obrafour is only leading the conversation. So I don’t know what the hullabaloo was about,” he said.
Hammer responded, “We are mentioned in the docket,” when asked how the writ covers all of the actors when their names were not recorded. Me, Obrafour, Mantse, Tina, and Tinny are all involved in the song’s publication. Since it is Obrafour’s song, he is in the lead. The copyright is with him.”
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Hammer added that prior to going in for the suit, Obrafour had a discussion with Mantse and other parties concerned.
“He spoke to everybody. I connected the conference call. We were all on the call. We all agreed and Obrafour went on with the suit,” he stated.
Drake took the line “killer cut, blood” from the 2003 remix of Obrafour’s “Oye Ohene” for the song “Calling My Name,” which is featured on the “Honestly Nevermind” album.
The Mantse dispute
Mantse claimed on Twitter (X) that he was the only owner of the words “Killa cut blood” on Obrafour’s “Oye Ohene” remix in a series of tweets aimed at Drake.
According to him, he did not give up his rights to Obrafour and Da’ Hammer, the track’s producer. As a result, Obrafour is not only unable to claim exclusive ownership of the sample, but he is also unable to receive exclusive payment.
“I Mantse Aryeequaye maintain my intellectual property rights and claim over all my artistic works including the ‘Killer Cut’ sound you sampled off ‘Oye Ohene’ remix used on Obrafuor’s album My lawyer Kofi Bentil esq. of Lex Praxis Incorporated kbentil@lexpraxis.net who is pursuing this matter has informed me of a lawsuit against you solely in the name of @IamObrafuor,’ he wrote.
“This is to confirm I [Mantse Aryeequaye] insist that although @IamObrafuor has an interest in the matter, he is not the owner of the right, and cannot assert it, definitely not alone, or make any demands for sole compensation for its use,” he noted.
Obrafour is requesting damages in the interim of roughly $10 million, among other things.
