In a discussion about the rights and royalties of the 27-year-old rapper, Olumide Osoba, chairman of the House Committee on Justice and a representative of the Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency of Ogun State, made this statement.
In case you forgot, Mohbad died away on September 12, 2023, and was buried the next day.
Due to the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death, the Lagos Police exhumed his body on September 21 for an autopsy.
Babajimi Benson, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform who represents the Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos State, spoke during the interactive session and proposed a motion on Mohbad’s behalf that was of urgent public significance.
Osoba emphasized the significance of collecting compensation and royalties, emphasizing that these payments are a source of income for artists.
He bemoaned the fact that the current system in the Nigerian music business does not safeguard musicians, especially the up-and-coming artists, to make the most of their rights, especially during disputes with record firms.
It also emphasized the importance of acknowledging that young musicians frequently lack knowledge of their rights when signing contracts.
In order to ensure that Mohbad’s royalties and other advantages are protected, Osoba added that the committee has asked for the pertinent information on his passing and the procedures to do so.
He said, “This inadequate awareness on the part of musical artists makes it difficult to get adequate compensation for their works, particularly during disagreements with their record labels.
“The music industry must also change to accommodate the digital era. Although the consumption and distribution of music have been revolutionized by digital streaming platforms, young musicians frequently struggle to make a good living because of antiquated royalties schemes.
It is crucial to promote updated royalty structures that correctly reflect the value of music in the streaming era.