How Congolese Musician Stole songs from Kenya and Tanzanian artists

Nearly 33 years ago, a Tanzanian musician based in Kenya lost a copyright infringement case against Congolese Rumba star Lokassa ya Mbongo. In 1994, Soukous Stars released « Nairobi Night », which adapted parts of East African songs, including D.O. Misiani’s 1976 hit « Kiseru Pek Chalo Kidi ». Misiani, who felt his song had been plagiarized, found that his rights were actually owned by his producer Phares Oluoch Kanindo, not himself, complicating legal action. The recording was produced and distributed by Syllart Records, owned by Ibrahima Sylla, who was friends with Kanindo.