Popular Nigerian comedian and skitmaker Chukwuebuka Amuzie, known as Brain Jotter, has addressed concerns regarding the potential exploitation of Mike Ejeagha’s 1983 hit “Onye Ori Utaba,” particularly its iconic chant “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo.” Brain Jotter recently sparked a viral dance challenge based on the song, raising questions about revenue distribution and copyright.
The 41-year-old song by the 93-year-old folklore legend has taken social media by storm. In response to the concerns, Brain Jotter clarified that he is not profiting from the viral trend.
“For those who think we ripped him off or we’re making money from this whole thing, I understand your concerns and they are very valid. I appreciate the fact that you want him to get value for his hard work, which is very valid, and I want you to understand that you are doing something good,” Brain Jotter stated in a video posted on social media of his visit to the music legend.
He emphasized, “At the end of the day, no dime was made from this song by me, nothing like that.” Brain Jotter further explained the mechanics of content monetization on various platforms. “All those music where I did put out there – Instagram, Facebook, YouTube – everything, the whole revenue is going to Mike Ejeagha’s record label, his production company,” he said.
Explaining how copyright protection works on these platforms, Brain Jotter noted, “You cannot even monetize another person’s song because these platforms have copyright violation tools. If I post that video on YouTube, YouTube strikes it for copyright and they give the revenue to the actual owner, which is Mike Ejeagha.
If you post it on Facebook, Facebook will tell you outright that this song does not belong to you, it belongs to this person. They take the revenue and give it to the actual owner.”
The comedian highlighted a positive outcome of the viral challenge, stating, “The song increased its streams on streaming platforms massively, and there’s no way I can put the song on streaming platforms. So everything, all revenues, are going straight to Mike Ejeagha.”
In addition, Brain Jotter revealed that he gave Ejeagha two million naira, adding, “The two million I gave him was from my pocket. My hard-earned money is just for humanity and not for profit. This whole thing is not for profit.”
He expressed gratitude for the joy the challenge has brought, saying, “We got the reward, which is the joy in his heart now. The joy in his heart now is my profit.”
BIO ABOUT MIKE EJEAGHA
Mike Ejeagha, born on April 4, 1932, in Enugu, Nigeria, is a renowned Igbo highlife musician and folklorist. Often referred to as the “Gentleman of Highlife,” Ejeagha has made significant contributions to the preservation and dissemination of Igbo culture and folklore through his music. His career, which began in the early 1960s, is marked by his distinctive storytelling style, blending traditional folk tales with highlife rhythms.
Ejeagha’s music often addresses social issues, moral lessons, and historical narratives, earning him a revered place in Nigerian music history. Some of his well-known songs include “Uwa Bu Aja,” “Onye Nwe Mba,” and “Akuko N’Egwu.” His lyrics are predominantly in the Igbo language, aiming to educate and entertain listeners while preserving cultural heritage.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Emmanuel Mensah
