Osas Aikhomu
Segun Akinlolu, popularly known as Beautiful Nubia, has called out gospel musicians Yinka Ayefele and emerging artist BBO for allegedly copying the melody of his original composition, *Seven Lifes*, without authorization.
The folk musician took to X (formerly Twitter) to assert that Ayefele’s 2012 track *My Faith in God (Igbagbo Ireti)* and BBO’s recent release *Amin* both borrowed heavily from his work.
“First, it was Yinka Ayefele with ‘My Faith in God’ in 2012, and now BBO with ‘Amin.’ Both lifted their melodies from our song ‘Seven Lifes’ without credit,” he stated.
Expressing dismay over what he sees as a persistent issue, Nubia challenged the ethics of gospel musicians, asking, “When will Nigerian artists, especially those in gospel music, start honoring copyright laws?”
With a career spanning decades, Beautiful Nubia is celebrated for his signature fusion of folk, Afrobeat, and socially relevant narratives. His latest remarks have reignited discussions on artistic integrity and intellectual property rights in Nigeria’s evolving music landscape.
The controversy has sparked reactions from fans and industry stakeholders, with many calling for stricter enforcement of copyright protections to safeguard original creators.
Beautiful Nubia further urged musicians to prioritize originality and ethical practices, emphasizing the need for accountability in creative expression.
Neither Ayefele nor BBO has issued an official statement addressing the allegations at this time.
