Popular Nigerian singer and songwriter Segun Akinlolu, widely known as Beautiful Nubia, has accused fellow musicians of copying the melody of one of his songs without permission.
The veteran artiste alleged that gospel singer Yinka Ayefele and a newer artiste identified as BBO drew inspiration from his original composition, “Seven Lifes,” without giving proper credit. According to him, Ayefele’s 2012 track titled “My Faith in God (Igbagbo Ireti)” and BBO’s recent song, “Amin,” share striking melodic similarities with his earlier work.
Beautiful Nubia made the claims in a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account. In the post, he expressed disappointment over what he described as a pattern of intellectual property violations within the music industry.
He stated that both songs borrowed heavily from the melody of “Seven Lifes,” insisting that such actions undermine originality and creative integrity.
The singer questioned why copyright laws are often ignored, especially among gospel musicians who, according to him, are expected to uphold high ethical standards.
He stressed that respecting intellectual property is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility for artistes who benefit from creative expression.
Beautiful Nubia, known for his unique blend of folk and contemporary sounds rooted in African culture and social commentary, has long advocated for authenticity in music.
His comments have since sparked conversations among fans and industry stakeholders, with many debating the thin line between inspiration and outright copying.
The controversy has once again brought the issue of copyright protection and enforcement in Nigeria’s music space to the forefront. Some observers argue that clearer legal frameworks and stronger enforcement mechanisms are needed to protect artistes from exploitation.
As of the time of this report, neither Yinka Ayefele nor BBO has publicly responded to the allegations.
