Musician Waithaka wa Jane performing.
Rising one-man-guitarist Waithaka wa Jane is relieved after he escaped a legal suit that would have seen him pay a fellow singer millions of shillings over copyright issues.
Waithaka had been sued by John Boniface (JB) Maina for reproducing his songs for commercial benefits.
Waithaka has rose to the top of the chart as regarding the Kikuyu secular music. To some, he is the King of Mugithi, purportedly having toppled the popular Samidoh and Mike Rua who have held that enviable title.
After JB wrote to Waithaka with intention to drag him to court, social media burst with Waithaka’s fans claiming it was out of jealousy while others dragged the name of Samidoh, closes rival in the industry.
Musicians JB Maina and Waithaka wa Jane shaking hands after they solved the dispute.
This was not the first time JB was suing over usage of his songs. In 2014 Safaricom paid him, albeit out of court settlement, Sh15. 5 million over use of his 10 songs as ringtones through Skiza tunes.
The case of Waithaka and JB however settled amicably through intervention Director Keru , fellow players in the industry and their friends. They shared a photo shaking hands.
Since then, JB has talked about the matter, revealing what the two reached at.
Last night at Santamore Gardens at Kenol, Murang’a, JB Maina told revelers he has vowed to support Wainaina grow his talent.
JB Maina.
“I told him to ask my songs he want to reproduce and I will give him for free. All upcoming musicians and those already in the industry willing to use my songs in their events can do so but I am asking for respect and recognition. I am not after money as it is being alleged”.
Other artists who spoke in the event said JB Maina is financially stable and what he wants is proper and agreed use of his work.
The 54-year-old singer hails from Othaya in Nyeri county. Waithaka is 24 years old and hails from Mathioya in Murang’a county.
Letter from Music Copyright Society addressed to the likes of Waithaka wa Jane.
Content created and supplied by: MwangiWaMacharia (via Opera
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