Ghanaian highlife and afrobeats artiste Kuami Eugene has responded to persistent accusations that he “steals” songs by sampling music from other musicians. During an interview on Hitz FM, Kuami Eugene firmly countered these claims, stating, “I don’t ‘steal’ music.” He emphasized that as an artist, his creative process involves drawing inspiration from various sources and incorporating unique elements to craft his sound.
“Every artiste takes influences from different places,” Eugene explained, pointing to the collaborative nature of the music industry. He cited global icons like Michael Jackson and Nigerian stars Davido and Wizkid as examples of musicians who borrow lines or melodies to create their songs. “There’s nothing wrong with taking a line or two and modifying it to fit my style,” he added, noting that sampling is a common and professional practice within the industry.
Despite this, Kuami Eugene expressed frustration over the criticism he faces when he samples music. He believes he receives more scrutiny compared to other artists, saying, “I feel like many artists can get away with it, but for me, it’s like every time I release a hit that includes a line reminiscent of another artist’s work, I’m criticized.”
Eugene stressed that music is an evolving art form that thrives on inspiration and collaboration, concluding, “At the end of the day, we’re all trying to create something beautiful that resonates with our audience.”