South African singer Busiswa Gqulu has taken to Twitter to share her feelings about her song being used without her permission.
Busiswa’s song, ‘Midnight Starring’, was used by Rihanna in her promo video for her beauty products, ‘Fenty Beauty’. The brand was promoting its new product, ‘Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint’.
Busiswa was tagged in a Twitter post by Ofentse Mogotsi who questioned Rihanna’s use of her song.
“I heard @KabzaDeSmall_ on a Ciroc ad promo post by @Diddy the other day & now @rihanna is rocking @busiswaah,” wrote Mogotsi.
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Rihanna remixed ‘Midnight Starring’. The original ‘Midnight Starring’ was released in 2017. It was produced by DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tira, Rude Boyz, and Distruction Boyz. It also features Moonchild Sanelly.
Busiswa said she was sad that her song was used without credit or payment.
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“Nah. @fentybeauty just used a REMAKE of Midnight Starring with my voice, to avoid paying us for it. I’m sad but it’s the game I guess,” Busiswa responded.
Nah. @fentybeauty just used a REMAKE of Midnight Starring with my voice, to avoid paying us for it. I’m sad but it’s the game I guess😕 https://t.co/JZuscm6oE2
— #MSOTS Out NOW!! (@busiswaah) March 26, 2021
She added that what Rihanna did was not illegal.
“Using a sample is legal, as far as I know,” she wrote.
Using a sample is legal, as far as I know.
— #MSOTS Out NOW!! (@busiswaah) March 26, 2021
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Social media reaction
A lot of Busiswa’s fans have asked Rihanna to “do the right thing” and pay for the music.
Riri please do the right thing within 48 hrs & contact @busiswaah by paying her what is rightful belong to her bcz she work so dawn hard composing that hit song that still bangs in the hearts of fellow 🇿🇦 or kuzoshuba nontombi asiyiki nikx thina e Azania
— Azania🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@Ashante_Parker) March 27, 2021
You should’ve really just paid @busiswaah for the song!! Im so disappointed Robin😞
— Zandi (@ZandiLegend) March 26, 2021
Why do people feel it’s okay to steal and just take from Africa… Why?… Talk with Busiswa please wena Sphongo please @rihanna pic.twitter.com/WQdZ9DTqqV
— NduMncube (@NduMncube) March 26, 2021
Watch the music video for ‘Midnight Starring’ below.