Nigerian-British artist Darkoo finds herself in a high-stakes music rights battle with Mr. P of the legendary P-Square duo. The dispute over her latest track, Focus On Me, has not only sparked controversy but also raised questions about the complexities of sampling in the Nigerian music industry.
What Happened?
Focus On Me samples P-Square’s 2009 hit Gimme Dat from their iconic Danger album. Darkoo insists she followed the proper procedures to clear the sample, even granting P-Square a 50% stake in her song. However, things took a turn when Mr. P allegedly demanded to feature on the track and added his own verse.
In a series of tweets on January 11, Darkoo shared how Mr. P allegedly advised her to avoid involving his brothers, Paul and Jude Okoye, in the clearance process, claiming they would complicate matters. Ironically, Darkoo noted that Paul and Jude were actually instrumental in resolving the issue.
She concluded her thread with confidence:
“I went above and beyond to ensure P-Square’s rights were respected. The contracts, paperwork, and clearances were all sorted.”
Fans Rally Behind Darkoo
Darkoo, known for her sampling expertise, previously secured rights for Favourite Girl, which sampled Brick & Lace’s Love Is Wicked and featured Rema on its remix. Fans commended her transparency and professionalism, siding with her during the fallout.
Mr. P’s Response
On January 13, ONE Management, representing Mr. P, issued a statement countering Darkoo’s claims. According to the agency, Darkoo allegedly released Focus On Me before obtaining proper clearance and sought permission from an entity no longer authorized to approve the sample.
The statement read:
“Our client [Mr. P] insisted on clearance through the correct channels to avoid any IP landmines.”
ONE Management also accused Darkoo’s team of delayed communication, claiming they reached out only two days before the video’s YouTube release.
The Legal Angle
Entertainment lawyer Efeturi Ojonah provided insight into the complexities of sampling in Nigerian music:
“Securing a sample license involves identifying the actual rights holders—be it the artist, label, or a third party. P-Square’s publishing rights may belong to another entity depending on their original contract.”
Ojonah suggested that Darkoo might have been caught in the fallout of the Okoye brothers’ long-standing feud. Despite her efforts, dealing with the wrong party could have triggered the dispute.
Resolution
The issue was eventually resolved after all parties signed a comprehensive agreement. The video was reinstated on YouTube, marking an end to the legal standoff—at least for now.
Sampling is a creative and essential part of the music industry, but as this saga demonstrates, it’s also a legal minefield. For artists like Darkoo navigating these challenges, it’s a reminder to double-check every detail—even if it means untangling family feuds.
What do you think about the Darkoo vs. Mr. P drama? Who do you believe was in the right? Let us know in the comments or join the conversation on our Twitter page.
🎶 Watch Focus On Me here.
🎵 Revisit P-Square’s Gimme Dat here.
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