In a post shared by @samklef on Instagram, the veteran music producer has made a bold claim regarding the ownership of tracks on Wizkid’s career-defining debut album, Superstar. Samklef asserted that he legally owns the masters for six tracks he produced on the project and is preparing for “fresh talks” with Banky W and EME records to reclaim his royalties.
The producer’s announcement has reignited a long-standing debate about artist-producer contracts in the early days of the “Afrobeats to the world” movement. Samklef hinted that he has been silent for too long and is now ready to take legal or administrative steps to ensure he is properly compensated for his contributions to the 2011 masterpiece.
While the Superstar album is widely considered a cornerstone of modern Nigerian music, the behind-the-scenes financial arrangements have often been a point of contention. Samklef’s move follows a trend of older Nigerian creators seeking to audit their catalogs as global streaming revenues continue to soar.
Fans of “Starboy” are divided on the issue, with some supporting the producer’s right to his intellectual property, while others view the timing as a grab for relevance amidst Wizkid’s current global dominance.
* Legit.ng: “Samklef claims he owns six tracks from Wizkid’s debut and plans to have a sit-down with Banky W over the masters.”
* The Cable Lifestyle: “The producer stated he is ready to claim what is rightfully his from the iconic 2011 Superstar album recordings.”
Echotitbits Take
This is a significant move that could set a precedent for many “pioneer” producers of the Afrobeats era who signed unfavorable deals. If Samklef successfully negotiates or proves ownership, we might see a wave of similar claims from other producers of that era. It’s a reminder that as Afrobeats grows globally, the “paperwork” from the early 2010s is finally coming under the microscope.
Source: Legit.ng — https://hausa.legit.ng/news/1581234-ministar-tinubu-ta-fadi-mataki-1-da-ya-kamata-mata-su-dauka-yayin-cacar-baki-da-mazajensu/ March 4, 2026
Photo Credit: Legit.ng
