2 replies to this topic

[Sharon007]

African singer sues Michael Jackson and Rihanna



PARIS (AFP) — Cameroonian singer Manu Dibango lodged a lawsuit against king of pop Michael Jackson and R'n'B diva Rihanna at a Paris court on Tuesday, claiming they stole a hook from one of his songs.

French judges will decide on February 17 whether to allow the 75-year-old African's case against the artists to be heard. He is reportedly seeking 500,000 euros in damages.

Jackson had already accepted that parts of Dibango's 1972 "Soul Makossa" were used on the track "Wanna be Startin' Something" on the 1983 album "Thriller," and the singers had reached a financial settlement.

But in 2007, Rihanna -- apparently in good faith -- obtained Jackson's permission to use the same section of melody on her hit single "Please don't stop the music," without also contacting the original artist Dibango.

Separately, Paris-based Dibango's lawyers have asked the French courts to block record labels Sony BMG, EMI and Warner from receiving any income from the records until the matter is settled.

Source: Google

[magic]

That Mama saymacusa or something thing is popular cause of Michael. So most likely Rihanna didn't know who originaly was it from. But it was her agents or whatever who had to know.

[Sharon007]

Rihanna and Michael Jackson sued by African singer

Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango has filed a lawsuit claiming that Don't Stop the Music and Wanna Be Startin' Something have used one one of his hooks without permission

Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango had filed a lawsuit against both Rihanna and Michael Jackson, claiming the artists have nicked one of his hooks.

Dibango, 75, points to one of the most famous bits in Jackson's 1983 track, Wanna Be Startin' Something. In that song, the King of Pop ends the chorus with a nonsensical chant, "mama-say mama-sa ma-ma-coo-sa," words that sound awfully close to the Duala chant in Dibango's classic Soul Makossa.

Jackson had already admitted to borrowing the line, according to the AFP, settling with Dibango out of court. But when Rihanna came calling in 2007, asking to sample Jackson on her song Don't Stop the Music, Jackson agreed – allegedly without contacting the Cameroonian.

Don't Stop the Music went on to top the European Hot 100.

Dibango's lawyers have now brought the case before a Parisian court, demanding €500,000 in damages and that Sony BMG, EMI and Warner Music be barred from receiving "mama-say mama-sa"-related income until the matter is resolved.

French judges will announce on 17 February whether they will hear the case.

Source: Guradian