Sinach Dragged to Court over Hit Song "Way Maker" | FACTS & OPINION

The story of Sinach being sued to court has already been all over the place, and everyone who follows music industry news in Nigeria has heard. But there are details that people don't yet know or just understand. In this article, we bring all the facts to one page.

Who Is Mayolee?

The guy who  has dragged Sinach to court is Michael Oluwole, known by his stage name Mayolee, formerly Mayo MuziQ. He used to be a music producer, but has become a recording artiste, with songs published in streaming services since 2022. He introduces himself as a child of God, but leaves himself with the liberty to make both gospel and secular music.

What's the Issue?

After the song 'Waymaker' has made waves all over the world, Mayo began to claim that Sinach has not properly paid and recognized his role in the production of the song. In 2022, he went on Daddy Freeze's Instagram live and complained that he had been reaching out to Sinach for her to settle him for a while, without success. So, in 2024, he decided to go to court.

What Does Mayolee Want?

First he wants Sinach to pay him N5 billion, and secondly, for him to be included in all royalties that the song receives going forward. He also wants to be officially recognized for his role in making the song a success. Lastly, he wants the court to issue an order restraining what he calls "the unauthorized use of the song.

What is Sinach's Explanation?

Sinach, through her lawyer, argues that she had already written and arranged the song before taking it to Mayolee for the technical aspect, which would be mixing and mastering. And that she had paid him for his service, duly.

Sinach May Lose the Case

Mayolee has insisted that the part he played in the song included; recording, mixing, and mastering, as well as creating key instrumental elements like the piano, strings, and synthesizers. A brisk check on streaming platforms, you would find that the only credits for WayMaker go to Sinach as the songwriter and performer, and the company that distributed the song to digital stores. Sinach does not mention the producer, her backup singers, engineer, and others like some other musicians do. 

It makes it appear that Mayolee is right to seek recognition for such a successful song - Nigeria's most popular song in the gospel genre.

Secondly, Mayolee's lawyer is aware of a loophole in the laws that govern intellectual property and copyright in Nigeria - the fact that anyone who feels like they've been cheated by a partner over their IP rights, can win in a lawsuit against the accused offender, even if there was no written contract between both parties at time of their contact.

For example, in this specific case, Sinach claims that she had paid Mayolee for the specific part he played in producing the song. But Mayolee says there was no written contract to define the relationship of both parties with respect to the song.

Important Question:

Will Mayolee also go after others in other countries who have reproduced the song, to even greater success than Sinach? Will he sue Michael Smith, Leyland, Darlene Zschech, William McDowell and whoever has a remix up streaming? Or is he merely after a low-hanging-fruit?

Secondly, if this case, as expected, begins to swerve in his favor, will Sinach find a back door to the Judges? That's always a possibility in Nigeria, isn't it. Or will she allow the process penalize her into allowing Mayolee take everything he's asking for?

Or will they simply settle out of court?

If yes, then why didn't she do so when he reached out to her before speaking to Daddy Freeze, assuming he was truthful when he said he had tried to resolve with the artist?

At the end of the day, this may either turn out like other Nigerians' lawsuits, where everyone discusses behind the scenes, exchanging unreported value, disappearing from the media; or it could become one toughest test on a generational talent like Sinach. Either way, there are lessons.

Lessons:

When doing business with a 2nd party over your creative content; music, movies, skits, book, spoken word, or poem, please ensure you and the other party or parties write an agreement, and have everyone sign accordingly.

It goes all the way down to what a graphic designer does for you, your business, your church, or just a simple album art for your song, WRITE A CONTRACT. If you feel it's too cumbersome, or an overstretch of due diligence, you must also be ready for WHATEVER jumps out at you in the future; good or bad.

Quick tip for those whose works have already been published:

If your work(s) are already out on the media - book already published, a song already distributed, a movie already out - and you are not sure if you had recognized everyone who played a key role in producing that work, please update the credits of the work. Also, contact the different parties involved and secure a written commitment that they have been satisfactorily recognized and remunerated.

If you are the next Sinach, those recommendations will come in handy.