Prominent Tanzanian record producer and songwriter s2kizzy, has come out strongly to dismiss claims that his longtime collaborator, Diamond Platnumz, sampled Nigerian songs in his latest trending hit Happy.
The controversy, which has been gaining traction online, saw critics allege that the song borrows heavily from popular Afrobeats tracks from West Africa. But in a candid interview with Bongo Five, the Grammy-nominated producer rubbished the accusations, insisting the song is an original production inspired by global sounds rather than lifted from any specific track.
“It is actually a good thing that people are comparing it to songs with global reach,” s2kizzy said. “That is exactly what we wanted; to create something that can travel beyond borders.”
According to the producer, Happy sits squarely within the Afrobeats genre, a sound that has grown into a dominant global force, influencing artistes across Africa and beyond.
He explained that musical similarities are inevitable in a genre that thrives on shared rhythms, influences and evolving trends.
“You can’t ask a reggae artiste why they like Bob Marley, or question why someone is using Amapiano and sounding South African,” he said. “It is the same thing with Bongo Flava artistes being told they sound alike. These genres have defining characteristics.”
s2kizzy further described Happy as an Afrobeat track infused with a “touch of Francophone,” highlighting the deliberate blend of sounds aimed at appealing to diverse audiences across the continent and internationally.
The producer also opened up on his creative process, noting that like any artiste, he draws inspiration from existing music. However, he was quick to draw a clear line between inspiration and copyright infringement.
“As creatives, we listen to music to get inspired—that’s normal,” he said. “But when it comes to copyright, there are clear rules. A song must reach a certain age or you must transform it significantly to give it a modern touch.”
Despite the criticism, Happy continues to gain traction across streaming platforms and social media, with fans praising its infectious rhythm and cross-cultural appeal.
For s2kizzy, the debate itself is proof that the song is achieving its intended impact.
“If people are talking, it means the song is reaching them,” he said. “And that’s what music is supposed to do—connect.”.