In June 2022 Ghanaians woke up to a surprise when they saw Canadian rapper Drake had not only released an album but he sampled Obrafour, one of Ghana’s favourite artiste.
On ‘Honestly Nevermind’ Drake sampled Obrafour’s Oye Ohene remix released in 2003 for his track ‘Calling My Name’.
However, nearly two years after the song was released Obrafour is suing Drake in a New York court to the tune of $10 million.
The rapper in court documents indicated that the ‘Hotline Bling’ hitmaker did not have his permission to sample the track.
Ghanaians on social media have been reacting to the suit. The reactions have been mixed with some sections of the public stating that Obrafour has no case while others believe that Drake was wrong to have released the song without clearance from Obrafour.
Read some reactions below:
Tsw masa Obrafour 3kc p3 baabi nda koraa 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/J42d8ValRS
— BOSBY(@Bosby_1) April 19, 2023
The inferiority complex on our side of the world is crazy cos why n1ggas acting like Obrafour won't have a case just cos he is suing an american artiste
— EL Roi (@nharnarh_quasi) April 19, 2023
Unfortunately, you're pegging this lawsuit on Obrafour merely getting “some features” as a result, when he has a good case. Carefully listen to Drake's song (check out the lyrics) in question and you will agree Obrafour deserves what he's suing for. 🙏
— Francis(@AssisiAce) April 19, 2023
Most ignorant people in the CS are saying they don't know Obrafour and Drake doesn't know him too but guess what? It's doesn't matter. Do thieves and robbers rob only people they know? Well if you've not heard of him before now you have. https://t.co/zmQzZYX2HY
— Richmond Tsikata(@tsikata10) April 19, 2023
Drake team reached out and he declined. Then Drake went ahead to release the songs. 3yaa mo gyae nsem hunu nu.
— TheKing'sMan (@SirDavid_Walker) April 19, 2023
Obrafour should just see Drake’s management behind closed doors and sort things out. The court de3 eno go help am.
— SARFO-ABABIO🕊 (@ksarfo_ababio) April 19, 2023
The disrespect for creatives in Ghana is shown clearly in how people are reacting to obrafour's suit . Just a minute change in colour, word, tone and other elements of art can affect the outcome of any artwork or craft. If it wasn't relevant like drake go sample am?
— Ataabi Mensa (@mawusuom) April 19, 2023
You didn’t get response from the owner so why use it? Smart move from Obrafour’s team. https://t.co/fLzdkEJ21L
— good vibes®️ (@brarichiee) April 19, 2023
See some backward mentality , saying that Obrafour can’t win the case because he has Ghanaian lawyers 🤦🏾♂️.
— Y.C 🤌🏾 (@Crentsil__) April 19, 2023
Inferiority complex dey worry you lot .
People think beacuse it is Drake Obrafour can’t win the case. Our man will pocket the 10M dollars and Drake can’t do anything about it. Law be law
— Bra Poly🥂 (@PolySarkcess) April 19, 2023
I’m seeing many ignorant tweets (mainly Africans) regarding the Obrafour vs Drake case. The fact that people think Drake can’t sample his song because he’s from Ghana cracks me up. Music is universal and producers get inspiration from all corners of the Earth.
— Edmα Ohemαα Lαwer (@Edmalawer) April 19, 2023
How do you use and uncleared sample and give the artist credit on that song? He is the biggest artist in the world, Obrafour was def going to hear the sample he used, so…
— Father Figure (@SalvadoreMu) April 19, 2023
Obrafour must secure that cash💰by thunder by fire in Jesus name…Amen!
— Hans Mensah Andoh (@hansandoh) April 19, 2023
Drake’s team knew the consequences before releasing the track. Obrafour was delaying and they needed to release the track. So they were like ‘fuck it’ and released it 😂
— Pumba✌🏾
$10m is still small in my POV, our man should have gone higher. That amount is cool chop for Drake🔫 (@innocenttt_k) April 19, 2023
Why would drake counter sue, he actually sampled Obrafour’s intro, which is indeed a copyright infringement
— ImmaNuel (@elniino_GH) April 19, 2023
silence doesn’t mean consent. he does not have an argument. best thing would be to meet with obrafour’s lawyers and find some compensation. Ye wrote letters for sample consents and never got back replies sometimes. Ignored emails no be news. https://t.co/IYIDa7FDQ8
— hasnauq (@deck077) April 19, 2023
Kasa by heart. Read the suit.. drake has performed this song, made proceeds so whether he deletes it or not, if he’s found guilty he’ll settle obrafour.
— c for cunnilingus (@Kennie233) April 19, 2023
I don’t like how people are making it seem like Obrafour has no right to sue Drake bc he’s not a “well known rapper” as if this man isn’t legend status in Ghana. Let’s be fr. This man was carrying in the early 2000s.
— ur fav aquarius (@msjayfatty) April 19, 2023
Obrafour needs a feature? But you people paaa why do you always let people treat you like trash? Someone disrespectfully samples your music, then you go to him or her and say “okay now that you have used my track, let us do a music.” How low can you be… 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
— Bizzy🌎 (@bizzy_badi) April 19, 2023
Masa you too what be your own. 3na Harvard and Yale. So make Obrafour no make move? If someone does you wrong and you feel the urge to take legal action, are you gonna keep mute because he might have influence more than you do or go all in?
— Prince (@memp3___gyimie) April 19, 2023
I might be dumb but if the sample wasn’t cleared it wasn’t cleared, what does Obrafour’s team not reading emails have to do with anything?
— CharChar (@charkotey) April 19, 2023
Masa it's not needless. Drake probably thinks that small piece will complete the song that why reach out to Obrafour and he declined but still went ahead to use it.
— Skulson (@skulsonofficial) April 19, 2023
you're emotionally attached to your Rap clever bully sofo, I understand but hey, be able to reason beyond sentiment else you're useless
Drake released the song june 2022 and Obrafour registered his song september 2022.— Drizzling Makaveli (@DrizzlingMakav1) April 19, 2023
Obrafour might’ve registered his song in the US at a later date than Drake released his song but, Obrafour already had all registered rights to the song in a Ghana, a territory that Drake also released his song to.
— Worla (@worla_q) April 19, 2023
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