Sonnie Badu’s hit song ‘Wonder God’ sparks controversy over ownership

The ownership of the chorus of ‘Wonder God’ by
UK-based Ghanaian gospel musician Sonnie Badu
is being contested by Nigerian gospel musician Soji
Israel.
The Nigerian is claiming to be the rightful owner of
the chorus of the song which was released about
two years ago.
Sonnie Badu has won two awards - Gospel Artiste
of the Year and Best Male Vocal Performance of the
Year - at the 2014 Ghana Music Awards with the
song.
About two years after its release, Soji Israel is
accusing the Ghanaian musician of using his
intellectual property without the necessary
permission.
This, Sonnie Badu has strongly objected to, stating
he has sought all the needed permission to record
and use the song.
A statement released by the musician’s
management, Smartty's Management, and copied
Myjoyonline.com Thursday, said as an international
musician, Sonnie Badu recognizes and respects
intellectual rights and therefore seeks permission
before using materials of others.
“We acknowledge the gifts and difficulties in being
a songwriter and getting recognition for your work.
Due to this, before we release a song we take the
extra efforts to research and do due diligence
before songs are written and released, hence giving
credits to everybody who contributes to Sonnie’s
musical works,” the statement said.
Sonnie Badu narrated that, “the chorus for ‘Wonder
God’ was heard by the team in Maryland 5 years
ago from Mummy GO, wife of the head of
Redeemed Christian Church Fraternity (Pastor Bayo
Adeyekunu's sister) and so when the team wanted
to use the chorus, we did a research and we learnt
Mummy GO was the owner of the song.”
He stated that, he sought Mummy GO and Pastor
Bayo’s permission to use the chorus of the song
and “he obliged.”
The statement reiterate that never in their research
did they learn that Soji Israel was the owner of the
chorus of the song, until a year after ‘Wonder God’
became a hit.
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It was then that Soji Israel contacted the Smartty’s
Management team.
“We listened to him, apologized and explained to
Soji that we had no knowledge of him being the
owner of the chorus of the song ‘Wonder God’. We
opined that Soji provide valid documentation that he
is the owner of the chorus of the song, so we
compensate him,” the artiste’s management said.
According to them, about a month ago, Soji Israel
met the Smartty's team and Sonnie Badu in the
USA and had an extensive discussion on the issue.
“In view of our discussion plans are advanced to
compensate Soji should he provide the CAE
documents proving he has the registered rights to
the chorus of ‘Wonder God’. Soji's prove of YouTube
as his source of documentation is not enough prove
of registration,” the statement concluded.