Seyi Sodimu, the veteran singer behind the original hit song “Love Me Jeje,” has been beaming with pride. 27 years ago, he created the music that recently earned Tems a Grammy Award.
The original record dominated Nigerian airwaves in the late 1990s. At that time, a 10-year-old Tems was likely focused on arithmetic homework and playground games, unaware of the monumental impact the song would have on her future.
Seyi Sodimu seemingly disappeared from the music scene, only to re-emerge years later when Tems’ sampled version of “Love Me Jeje” was released in her debut album ‘Born In The Wild’
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Recently, Seyi shared with fans on a live video that his phone has been inundated with calls since Tems released the song, from its nomination to its eventual Grammy win.
Many have congratulated him, noting that Tems’ Grammy win marked a triumphant moment for him.
This raises an intriguing question: What if Seyi no longer controlled the song “Love Me Jeje”?
Artistes often lose control over their work due to various circumstances. For instance, signing with a record label may require surrendering some creative control and ownership rights.
Sometimes, when things go awry between them and the label, they encounter difficulties using their materials. We’ve heard several stories.
A notable example is the prolonged battle between South African singer Nomcebo Zikode and record label Open Mic. Despite her contributions to the viral hit ‘Jerusalema,’ Nomcebo claimed she had not received royalties from the music company in 2021.
The situation escalated when Open Mic unexpectedly removed her 2023 Grammy-nominated single, ‘Bayethe,’ from Spotify and other streaming services, sparking concerns about artistic control and ownership.
Financial difficulties can also force artistes to sell or surrender control over their music.
In the late 1990s, Nigeria’s music industry had no structure, and music was not as profitable as it is today.
Seyi could’ve easily sold the rights to the song.
If anything, he didn’t receive royalties in Nigeria for it as he has previously stated.
However, his life has taken a dramatic turn, as he’s now credited on Tems’ version of the song.
Seyi’s experience highlights the importance of careful decision-making to maintain control over one’s music.
Imagine if Seyi had relinquished the publishing rights to the record for a paltry sum then compared to the song’s current worth.
Royalties from streams could be going to the buyer, likely a record label, now that Tems has contributed to the song’s renewed popularity.
Like any intellectual property, music is a valuable investment that can yield returns even decades later. It’s essential to protect it at all costs.
