Sampling Scandal: Veteran Singer, Konga Drags Burna Boy, Demands 60% Royalties

In what is turning out to be a major intellectual property showdown in the Nigerian music industry, veteran singer Lawal Olalekan Olumo, popularly known as Konga, has sensationally claimed he is entitled to 60 percent of the earnings from Grammy-winner Burna Boy’s hit song, ‘Update’.

Konga, famous for his street-hop hits in the mid-2000s, alleged that the “Odogwu” crooner sampled his material without obtaining the necessary permission or even making a courtesy call.

Speaking during a heated session on the Hits Don’t Lie podcast, Konga expressed his frustration over what he perceives as a double standard in how Burna Boy treats international versus local legends.

He referenced Burna Boy’s global hit ‘Last Last’, which famously sampled Toni Braxton’s ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough’, noting that the American singer reportedly walks away with 60 percent of the song’s royalties.

“If Toni Braxton is having 60% royalty of Last Last, why can’t he do the same thing to come and meet me first, talk to me?” Konga queried, visibly displeased.

According to the veteran, this isn’t the first time Burna Boy has “borrowed” from his creative well. Konga alleged that his lyrics were also lifted for Burna Boy’s verse on the remix of Asake’s ‘Sungba’.

Despite these grievances, Konga revealed he has hesitated to drag the Afrofusion star to court out of respect for Burna Boy’s massive role in taking African music to the global stage.

“I have held back from taking legal action because of my respect for him and his role in promoting African music globally,” he stated.

In a surprising twist, Konga shared that he previously reached out to Burna Boy for a collaboration on his classic track, ‘Kabakaba’, but was met with a “blue tick” (ignored).

Feeling sidelined, the veteran singer announced that he has decided to take matters into his own hands by adopting the same strategy. He revealed that he has now chosen to sample Burna Boy’s work in his upcoming projects—also without seeking permission.