Afrobeats icon D’banj has revealed that he is taking legal steps against Grammy-winning American singer Marc Anthony over the unauthorized use of his hit song Oliver Twist.
The Nigerian music star disclosed this during a recent interview on Adesope Live, where he opened up about the surprise he felt when he discovered that the lead track and title of Marc Anthony’s 2024 album, Muevense, was a Latin-style sample of his 2012 smash hit, Oliver Twist. While the moment initially felt like a significant milestone, D’banj explained that the lack of proper clearance and communication prompted him to involve his legal team.
He said:
“Marc Anthony sampling my song was one of my greatest highlights last year. He released an album last year and the title of the album and the track one was a sample of my song ‘Oliver Twist.’ I listened to it and it was just like a Latin version of ‘Oliver Twist.’
“At first, I was happy because of who he is, but my legal team and the business side of it…. He didn’t reach out to me before sampling it. The song wasn’t cleared and he put it out officially, lead single and title of the album. I don hammer…God works in mysterious ways. I’m so happy those are the advantages of the digital era. The good thing about it is that it is already released. My legal people are handling it and I know that they are going high but deep down I still admire Marc Anthony. We have to clear it.”
D’banj’s Oliver Twist, which gained international acclaim over a decade ago, remains one of his most commercially successful records. The song’s influence on global pop culture is evident, and this latest development highlights the enduring impact of Afrobeats on the global music scene.
While the case unfolds behind the scenes, D’banj maintains his admiration for Marc Anthony as an artist, even as he ensures his intellectual property rights are upheld.
