Staff ReporterIn a recent turn of events that has caught the attention of music fans and industry insiders alike, popular Zimdancehall musician Jah Signal has issued a heartfelt apology to renowned gospel musicians Charles and Olivia Charamba. The apology comes in the wake of a copyright infringement issue that resulted in two of Jah Signal’s songs being removed from YouTube.
The controversy centered around Jah Signal’s 2018 hit single “Sweetie,” which had amassed over 6 million views on YouTube, and his more recent track “Tengai Mafuta,” released in 2023. Both songs were found to have improperly used material from the Charambas’ song “Kana Vanhu Vangu,” leading to their removal from the platform.
Charles Charamba had previously voiced his concerns regarding “Sweetie” shortly after its release, labeling the song as blasphemous and stating that it conflicted with his moral beliefs. He emphasized that he had not consented to the use of his work in Jah Signal’s song. The issue escalated with the release of “Tengai Mafuta,” which also featured sampled content from the Charambas, prompting the couple to take action.
In a gesture of reconciliation, Jah Signal took to Facebook to express his remorse, sharing an image of the Charambas accompanied by a message of apology and respect. He referred to the couple as “Elders for life” and conveyed his deep regret and affection, stating, “From the bottom of my heart I love you mom and dad, I’m so sorry.”
The Charambas, in an earlier statement, revealed that they had initially decided not to pursue a copyright infringement case against Jah Signal for the “Sweetie” video. However, their stance changed following the sampling of another one of their songs.
This incident sheds light on the complexities of copyright law within the music industry and serves as a reminder of the importance of obtaining proper permissions before using another artist’s work. Jah Signal’s public apology underscores the significance of respecting copyright and the creative rights of fellow musicians.
