D’banj Pursues Legal Action Over Marc Anthony’s Unauthorized ‘Oliver Twist’ Sample
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation D’banj has disclosed that his legal team has formally reached out to American music icon Marc Anthony over the unauthorized use of his 2012 hit track, ‘Oliver Twist.’
Marc Anthony incorporated a sample of ‘Oliver Twist’ into the lead and title track of his 2024 album, Muevense, without obtaining prior approval.
During a recent interview with Adesope Live, D’banj shared that while he was initially thrilled to see such a legendary artist sample his work, the business side of the music industry necessitated legal intervention.
“Having Marc Anthony sample my song was definitely a highlight for me last year. His album’s title track is essentially a Latin rendition of ‘Oliver Twist.’ At first, I was excited because of who he is. But then my legal team stepped in because he didn’t seek clearance before releasing it as the lead single and album title,” D’banj explained.
He added, “I got hit hard by it, but I believe God works in mysterious ways. The digital age has its perks—since the song is already out, my legal team is handling the matter, and I’m confident they’ll take it far. Deep down, I still have admiration for Marc Anthony, but we have to make sure everything is properly cleared.”
D’banj’s statement underscores the importance of respecting intellectual property rights, even among music legends, in today’s interconnected industry.