Ghanaian highlife and afrobeat star Kuami Eugene has once again dismissed long-standing allegations that he “steals” music from other artists, insisting that his creative approach is both legitimate and widely practiced in the industry.
Speaking in a recent interview on Accra-based Hitz FM, the Open Gate hitmaker addressed criticism surrounding his artistic methods, particularly accusations that he borrows too heavily from existing songs.
“I don’t steal music,” he said firmly. “There’s nothing wrong with taking a line or two and modifying it to fit my style.
It’s a part of how we create music, and it’s something that professional musicians do all the time.”
Kuami Eugene explained that drawing inspiration from various sources is central to his musical identity and that sampling, when done properly, is not theft but a creative tool.
He also pointed out that this practice is common globally and has been used by some of the world’s biggest artists.
The former Lynx Entertainment signee expressed his frustration over what he described as unfair scrutiny from fans and critics.
“I feel like many artists can get away with it, but for me, it’s like every time I release a hit that includes a line reminiscent of another artist’s work, I’m criticised.”
