Kenyan music group Matata has publicly condemned what they describe as a “false, malicious, and hurtful” copyright claim that led to the takedown of their lyric video for the song ‘Mpishi’ on YouTube.
The Norway-based group, known for their vibrant fusion of Gengetone and pop, accused an unnamed Kenyan individual of attempting to “blackmail, extort, and reap from where they didn’t plant” by exploiting YouTube’s copyright system for a “quick payday.”
The controversy erupted just as Matata was preparing to release the official music video for Mpishi, a track featuring Sauti Sol’s Bien and produced by WuodOmollo.
The song, was recorded in Kenya before the group traveled to London to shoot the accompanying video.
However, the sudden takedown of the lyric video on YouTube, prompted by a copyright claim they insist is baseless, has cast a shadow over their efforts.
“This wasn’t just a drop. It was a moment,” Matata wrote in their statement.
“We made this song in Kenya with Bien & the amazing producer WuodOmollo. Then flew to London—shot a music video. For you. For us. For the culture. Then, just as we were preparing to drop the music video… our song was taken down. Not because we broke the rules, but because someone chose to take advantage of the loopholes and easy systems on YouTube.”
The group revealed that the claim came from a fellow Kenyan, a revelation that struck a particularly bitter chord. “The hardest part: it came from a fellow Kenyan,” they shared, accusing the individual of sabotage and attempting to profit off their hard work.
They assured fans that their legal team is actively working to resolve the issue, but emphasized that the incident would not derail their momentum.
“This is not a setback. This is proof that our sound is LOUD. Loud enough to shake those who wish we stayed quiet,” they declared.