An Accra High Court has dismissed the copyright ownership case filed by Mantse Aryeequaye, the founder of the Chalewote Street Art Festival, against rapper Obrafour and music producer Hammer.
The court ruled in favor of Obrafour and Hammer, imposing a GH¢10,000 fine on Mantse.
The court’s decision, issued on Thursday, February 15, 2024, cited “inconsistencies and breach of court rules” in Mantse’s writ as the basis for the dismissal.
The dispute centered around the phrase ‘Killer Cut,’ featured in the popular ‘Oye Ohene’ track.
Obrafour and Hammer faced legal action from Mantse Aryeequaye, who claimed that they wrongfully asserted sole ownership of the phrase.
Background
The controversy gained attention when Obrafour sued American rapper Drake for using the ‘Killer Cut Blood’ phrase in his track “Honestly Nevermind” without permission.
Obrafour sought $10 million in damages, alleging that Drake had exploited his intellectual property without consent.
Mantse, feeling unacknowledged, reached out to Drake, asserting himself as the original owner of the ‘Killer Cut Blood’ phrase and denying any rights transfer to Obrafour or Hammer.
Mantse Aryeequaye filed a lawsuit on January 12, 2024, alleging that Obrafour registered the ‘Killer Cut’ phrase as his own in the U.S. without permission.
Mantse claimed that, until then, he hadn’t objected to Obrafour and Hammer using the phrase derived from his spoken word piece.
He asserted that Obrafour failed to inform Drake’s handlers that he wasn’t the owner of the work but allowed them to attribute it to him. Mantse took legal action after discovering Obrafour’s registration of the song and ‘Killer Cut’ phrase in the U.S.
