You guys really need to know what’s going on. It’s important.
Kcee released the album ‘Cultural Praise’ last year, 2020, featuring the Okwesili Eze Group.
The album has been an enormous success since its release late last year.
It was the ideal December jam, especially within the Eastern states in Nigeria.
Cultural Praise was the cream of every social gathering in Igboland during the festive period.
The buzz the song generated spilled into 2021, and has managed to gain traction in other regions in the country.
Many have praised Kcee for putting an ‘Ogene’ spin on a well-known religious song like “Som Too Chukwu” and produced what seems to be a masterpiece.
But what many don’t know is that the original composer of ‘Som Too Chukwu’ is alive and well.
Sadly, this man, Sir Jude Nnam wasn’t notified before Kcee made this song into a studio album.
He was completely cut out of the picture, he wasn’t even listed on the song credits.
A song theft culture that has been consistent in the Nigerian music industry.
Needless to explain what it feels like to watch someone else profit largely off of your material.
It’s heartbreaking.
Don’t be tempted to ask why Sir Jude is making a big deal out of it, because he is and should.
In the attached photo is the original vocal arrangement of ‘Som Too Chukwu’ in staff notation and tonic sol-fa, copyrighted. And that’s just 1 of 14 pages of this Igbo piece. Does it look like a day’s job?
And the most interesting thing about this song that dates back to 2001, is that the title was inspired by his child’s name, Somtochukwu. Sir Jude Nnam has songs in all his kids’ name, that’s how much of a genius he is.
But someone wakes up one day, takes what’s personal to you and turns it into a money-spinning venture.
We can’t begin to count the number of club and event performances all over the country that Kcee has enjoyed from last year to date on account of the song’s success.
All these, without consulting with Sir Jude. I know this for a fact. A legal proceeding is ongoing to stop the commercial use of the song, which Kcee has ignored, probably because he has e-money.
Yet, many of you look up to dishonourable elements like him as role models.
A better introduction of Sir Jude Nnam for those who don’t know him.
He’s a staple in the Catholic Church of Nigeria.
With over a thousand compositions to his name in several languages including the Nigerian languages, Swahili, French, Hindi, Spanish, Chinese and many others.
Catholic choirs and chorales across the country and beyond have rendered his pieces over the years, and might do so this coming Sunday.
Timeless classical pieces of his that will keep his name relevant in the annals of history.
Additionally, he’s one of the 7 brand ambassadors of Yamaha in the whole of Africa. In fact, his tunes are inbuilt on their latest Keyboard models.
I’m giving you a breakdown of this man Sir Jude Nnam, so you understand he’s not one of those clout-chasers, nor is he a man of no importance to be trivialised by star-struck fans of Kcee.
He may not have the glitzy celebrity image, but where he matters, he matters.
The point of the story is that a video release date for ‘Cultural Praise’ has been announced by Kcee. It’s slated for 30th of March, in a bid to rekindle the rave of the music, and of course cash out this Easter.
This move isn’t surprising at all.
Given that, Cultural Praise is the only hit song Kcee has recorded since the ‘Limpopo’ era, if I’m not mistaken.
Expectedly, he’s going to milk it for all it’s worth, seeing that another hit isn’t promised at this dicey stage of his career.
So while he’s storming your cities to rake in as much money as he can through guest appearances, while he’s on a rescue mission of his music brand with a plagiarised work, know what you’re really supporting.
The prolific music composer, Sir Jude Nnam is being denied his due.
You may have streamed Cultural Praise on online music platforms ignorantly, the music is catchy, no doubt. But investing your money in it any further makes you complicit.
Moreover, why you love Cultural Praise is because another man took time to create a timeless classic.
He deserves better while he lives.
I hope this appeals to your conscience.
