In this article, TrendyBeatz analyses the source of the issues about the “Machala” song, the underlying stories of the two parties involved and lessons for upcoming artists on the need for music business education.


The half of 2022 has been a pivotal time in Nigerian music history. It saw the rise of music underdogs, the production of classic albums, and a plethora of hit songs. Sometimes in July, a popular skit maker, Carter Efe, known for his usual stunts of powdered face and dancing with towels, and the upcoming artiste, Berri Tiga, released a snippet of their song, titled Machala.

The song “Machala” is dedicated to the afrobeat superstar Ayo Balogun Wizkid.

A eulogy song raining adulations on the mentioned artist. Inarguably, this song remains one of the hit songs that gained massive acceptance in 2022. It became a number one hit song in the country and debuted on the UK chart.

Albeit, the song could be termed a success because of its impact; the rift and issues that sprang up after the song make for a subtle reminder for young artists to understand the rudiments of the music business before engaging in any deal.

Machala: The Making Of The Hit Song

“Machala” is an Amapiano-tinged track. On this colourful tune, Berri Tiga rides the trending Amapiano wave and incorporates crowd vocals making it a sure party banger. The crowd vocals, which remain the catchy hook on the song, make up for the reasons the song became a hit. While we can ascribe the hit factor to the quality of the song melody, we cannot deny the mega profile of Wizkid, to whom the song is dedicated to.

The fans call him “Wizkid”, and the stans (read as Wizkid FC) regard him as “Machala” the meaning could be traced to Wizkid’s soft lifestyle. Without a doubt, the massive streaming and support from Wizkid FC is another major factor in the ‘blowing’ (sic) of the song.

Another obvious reason is the song’s flow, the writing, and the smooth delivery by Berri Tiga. It was just too perfect that it made the promotion easy for Carter Efe, who already has his audience.

The Underlying Story Behind “Machala” Ownership.

The rancour started when the song became a hit and money started to flow in through shows, in which Carter Efe gets more of the show invites than Berri Tiga and also gets more percentage of the music streaming revenue than the guy mentioned.

Carter Efe, who was riding on his brand as a comedian, and his attachment to the “Machala” tag as a major push for the song felt like he was entitled to a bigger part of the music revenue share. Berri Tiga then accused Carter of conniving with Sydney Talker, a comedian and friend to Carter Efe, to pay him off for the song with just #100,000 Naira payout. Meanwhile, Berri Tiga, who exposed the whole story, said Carter Efe could be the mastermind behind the “Machala” creation, but he personally wrote and sang the song from scratch till it was perfected.

Just weeks after the song had garnered massive airplay, it was abruptly removed from streaming platforms, which was no doubt caused by the disagreement between the two artists.

Who’s to be Blamed? Who’s Really at Fault?

We never can conclude, but it’s obvious that their inability to carefully discuss the terms of their collaboration and arrange it into an official contract that will be signed and sealed by the duo is the major reason the song ownership became an issue worth fighting for.

Two Cents & Lessons Upcoming Artists Should Learn From The “Machala” Ownership Fight:

Hide your desperation. People would use that against you. Connect with ‘your’ lawyer if a deal is placed in front of you, and be sure to include a smooth exit if terms aren’t honoured.

Entertainment Lawyers are not for decorations. They are more than people that just observe and sign contracts for you. Due to how connected they often are in the industry, lawyers negotiate terms for you and give you advice when negotiating deals.

Most importantly, don’t be in a rush to sign anything. If it’s not clear, it’s a scam!

One of the hardest things for upcoming artists and producers to sign is split sheets. Not because they don’t want to, but because they are desperate and the bigger artist has the leverage to exploit them. Even with their lawyers and representation, it isn’t easy in Nigeria.

Also, you have to look at the power dynamic between two collaborators. The small guy can’t enforce his rights because he needs the big guy to gain visibility and grow. The big guy knows this and enjoys free labour. Who will fight for the small guy? No one.

And as an upcoming producer, you might make a song, and they refuse to give you split sheets. When you push too much, they will remake your beat with a more prominent producer and release it. If you complain too much, the industry recoils from you as a snitch or troublemaker.

The business part of music is very crucial and must be tidied up with a concrete agreement before everything else.

Also, social media isn’t the best medium of dispute resolution for the music industry. It doesn’t give anyone a meaningful resolution, just 15 minutes of outrage. If you feel wronged, Get your lawyer.

What’s your take on the “Machala” song ownership? Do you think Carter Efe or Berri Tiga should have settled it without a social media fight? Could it be a PR for the song? Let’s know your thoughts!


Source: TrendyBeatz

Berri did giveaway naaa, why shouting now?

This is for people that still insist that education is a waste

Na greed do both of them.

Berri didn't stick to agreement but then100k payoff is also too small.

Carter Efe should have amended the contract to something like 60-40 or even 70-30 sharing ratio when the money started rolling in.

Lets not forget the stories of

1. 2face & Kennis Music
2. Kiss Daniel & Emperor Geezy
3. Wizkid & Banky W.

Nobody likes to be used.

Las Las, both of them got served.

Escalation Of Tensions In No One’s Interest': India Refuses To Side With West https://www.nairaland.com/7361306/escalation-tensions-no-ones-interest

They should have settled instead of have the music yank off streaming platform.

“Nobody wins if the family feud”

Was he trying to say MACHALLA--SHI...

Didnt get the Machalla thing that was on repeat!

Whether na my mama, papa or any of my relatives....there must be a written agreement in anything we do together......I have learnt a lot.

You see them Sydney Talker clique them crazy gan like say no be them Davido help most of them career
Berri tiga you sef try learn from this one and give us another hit you are too loaded

Carter efe gave everything he had to push that song, he promoted it “crazily”, if the song was not a hit I wonder if berri will be acting like this.

Nah court fi settle the matter

Na money matter go make you sabi person true color

I'm sorry who are these guys?

Maynman:
Carter efe gave everything he had to push that song, he promoted it “crazily”, if the song was not a hit I wonder if berri will be acting like this.

Omo forget , offering him 100k is evil

Bb

Arry110:
Omo forget , offering him 100k is evil

Why did he collect it?
And he must have collected it before the song was released.
If the song didn’t gather any streams, i wonder who will be at lost.

Who meet Wizkid for Ghana?

Ok

Ok

Word

Maynman:


Why did he collect it?
If the song didn’t gather any streams, i wonder who will be at lost.

he didn’t collect it bro, na there issue start

Arry110:
.

That Carter Efe too greedy

Never heard the song in dispute (Certainly never will)!

However, I agree with Op here! This getting cheated happens even beyond the Entertainment industry... Wolves are always looking for easy and desperate pickings.

This reminds me of the now infamous case of Cynthia Morgan. Nigerian Entertainment Industry is a stinking world of Avarice!

Beri tiga abi na iberiberism dem dey call you you better chillax

Arry110:
he didn’t collect it bro, na there issue start

But The song was teased for like 2 weeks before released, why didn’t we hear anything about it then, Until it became a hit?
If it was not a hit, will he keep the same energy?

Think of it like this:
You help me push-start my car, yes without u d car wouldn't have started but durzdat mean u now own d car bcus of ur help?

Sometimes we may have to put ourselves in d shoes of d 'victims' for this to resonate fully.

Maynman:
Carter efe gave everything he had to push that song, he promoted it “crazily”, if the song was not a hit I wonder if berri will be acting like this.

richie240:
Think of it like this:
You help me push-start my car, yes without u d car wouldn't have started but durzdat mean u now own d car bcus of ur help?

Sometimes we may have to put ourselves in d shoes of d 'victims' for this to resonate fully.

Writing a lyrics doesn’t mean you own the song, we still have producer, mixer, promoter and so on that will make the lyrics become a HIT song, as berri said, carter efe was the mastermind of the song and he wrote the lyrics.
All these dj owns songs, and they don’t even sing on it.

Lack of education is expensive. Lesson I learned.

Nonetheless less he suppose use sense deal with the boy when dol start rolling in.

Maynman:
Carter efe gave everything he had to push that song, he promoted it “crazily”, if the song was not a hit I wonder if berri will be acting like this.

Sonyboom765:
Nonetheless less he suppose use sense deal with the boy when dol start rolling in.

They should have had an agreement before the song was released, i wonder if the song was a flop he will keep the same energy.