Nigerian Afrobeats icon D’banj has revealed that his legal team is pursuing action against legendary American singer Marc Anthony over the unauthorized use of his smash 2012 hit, Oliver Twist.
In a recent chat with Adesope Live, D’banj shared that Marc Anthony sampled Oliver Twist in both the lead single and the title track of his 2024 album, Muevense, without seeking clearance or permission.
“Marc Anthony sampling my song was one of my greatest highlights last year,” D’banj said. “He released an album and the lead track, Muevense, was basically a Latin version of Oliver Twist.”
While D’banj initially felt honored by the gesture, he admitted that the lack of communication and clearance prompted his legal team to step in.
“At first, I was happy because of who he is, but from the business side… he didn’t reach out to me before sampling it. The song wasn’t cleared and he released it officially as the lead single. I don hammer! God works in mysterious ways.”
Despite the legal proceedings, D’banj still expressed admiration for the American superstar.
“My legal people are handling it, and I know they’re going high. But deep down, I still admire Marc Anthony. We just have to clear it.”
The Oliver Twist saga is a reminder of the complex relationship between creativity and copyright in today’s digital age—where sampling a beat can quickly lead to courtroom drama.
