Ghanaian rapper Samuel Adu Frimpong, popularly known as Medikal, has found himself in legal hot water following allegations of copyright infringement in connection with his newly released song, “Welcome to Africa.”
In a formal demand letter dated April 8, 2025, delivered both by hand and via WhatsApp, legal representatives for the acclaimed Ghanaian gospel group Alabaster Box accused Medikal of unauthorized use and sampling of their hit song “Akwaaba.” The song, which means “Welcome” in English, has been a cornerstone of Alabaster Box’s repertoire for over two decades, performed locally and internationally.
The letter, issued by law firm Sustineri Attorneys PRUC and signed by Richard Nunekpeku, alleges that Medikal’s song significantly samples the original “Akwaaba” within the first 10 seconds, creating what the lawyers describe as a “derivative work” without any authorization or license. The group believes the infringement was deliberate, pointing to the song’s title and lyrical similarities as evidence of Medikal’s prior knowledge of their work.
The legal notice states that Medikal has begun “aggressive promotion, distribution, and performance” of the alleged infringing work across both traditional and digital platforms. The song is currently live on Medikal’s verified YouTube channel, where it has garnered nearly 72,000 views, over 1,000 comments, and 7,900 likes. Links to major streaming platforms like Spotify, Audiomack, Apple Music, and Boomplay have also been shared under the video.
Alabaster Box, through their legal counsel, is demanding that Medikal immediately withdraw the song from all platforms, cease all promotional activities, terminate related contracts, and submit a full account of any revenue generated. They are also seeking a list of individuals or entities who received copies of the track, along with efforts being made to retrieve them.
The letter warns that failure to comply will result in legal action, including an injunction on the song’s distribution, a demand for its destruction, and claims for damages including exemplary damages for intentional infringement.
