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Ku Ndirande stars take Chupa to task
By
George Kasakula - 31-10-2002 |
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Shadreck and Code Sangala, the brothers behind the hit Kwathu Ku Ndirande are not amused with their MP Peter Chupa’s use of their song in an advert.
Chupa used the song, which praises Ndirande, in the ad flighted on MIJ Radio for a rally in the populous township a couple of weeks ago.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Shadreck, also known as Shadre in showbiz circles, said Chupa used the track without their consent and payment.
“We called him. At first he tried to silence us because we know him but later told us to put it in writing, something we did but up to now he has not responded. Before using the song, we should have agreed on the money because the song is protected by copyright laws of the country,” Shadreck said.
He said if Chupa, who is founding member and national organising secretary for National Democratic Alliance (NDA) pressure group, does not respond, the brothers will take legal action through their lawyer.
Said Shadreck: “We have no connection with NDA. We do not sing for any political group. They have to stop using our song until we sort out the issue. We are new in this business and we cannot afford to be partisan. We have to protect our image. Already some people are not happy and they came to our place querying us on the same.”
But Chupa, speaking from Lilongwe, said the brothers’ demands are politically motivated.
The MP alleged that the artists’ family belong to the ruling UDF and to the John Tembo camp of the MCP hence their objection to the use of the song.
But he insisted he has no regrets about it.
Said the MP: “If they are objecting because of their political inclinations they should have said so other than being funny about it. We have been running adverts for a long time. It was not a commercial. It was an ad meant to inform people about the rally.”
He said it was MIJ which used the track and not him, saying if it was wrong, then the radio would have informed him.
“I was born and bred in Ndirande. The song is about me. It is about politics in Ndirande. Why should I not use it,” he argued.
On the Sangalas’ demand that he pays for the song’s use, he says it was ridiculous.
“They are demanding K25,000 and it all sounds ridiculous. They should use the right channel. Who were they singing that song for? If they are broke they should have said so. They are my constituents and there are ways through which I assist such people,” Chupa said. |
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