Burna Boy slammed with lawsuit over alleged copyright infringement by Haitian producer

• Nigerian Afrobeats artiste Burna Boy faces lawsuit as Fabrice Rouzier claimed the former and Joe Gilles used elements from his 2002 song without permission
• Rouzier seeks damages and an injunction against further use of his work
• The lawsuit follows the release of '4 Kampe II,' which Rouzier alleged infringes on his original compositions, sparking widespread reactions

Nigerian musician Damini Ogulu, known as Burna Boy, has been slammed with a lawsuit by Haitian music icon Fabrice Rouzier. 

This comes after Rouzier alleged that Burna Boy, along with French-Haitian singer Joe Gilles, appropriated sound and video elements from his 2002 song ‘Je Vais.’ 

The dispute arises from Gilles’ recent hit, ‘4 Kampe II,’ in collaboration with Burna Boy, which Rouzier claimed heavily utilised the story, music composition, sound recording, and video material from his original work without authorisation.

Court documents stated that the first infringement occurred in fall 2024 when Gilles released ‘4 Kampe,’ based on Rouzier’s song, prompting Rouzier to send a cease and desist letter. The documents alleged that Gilles later admitted to the infringement.

Despite Rouzier’s initial warning, Gilles released a remix titled 4 Kampe II featuring Burna Boy on March 28, 2025. Rouzier contended that this version again closely mimics Je Vais, including similar lyrics like “Cherie, ou sou sa kampe” in French, which translates to “Darling, let’s do this in the standing position.”

The court filings indicated that Burna Boy was aware of Gilles’ admission regarding the appropriation of Rouzier’s work. Rouzier alleged that both artistes continued their conduct, resulting in significant damages to him, including lost profits, missed opportunities, and harm to his reputation.

As a result of the lack of cooperation from Gilles and Burna Boy, Rouzier felt compelled to file this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. 

He is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, as well as reimbursement for legal fees and other costs.

Additionally, Rouzier requested an order prohibiting Gilles, Burna Boy, and their representatives from using his persona, image, and likeness related to 4 Kampe and 4 Kampe II. He also seeks an order for the destruction of all copies of the infringing videos.

This has attracted many of his Nigerian fans to express their opinion on the controversy, while some believed that there is bias in judgment citing reactions, others defended the Afrobeat artiste, stating the song does not belong to him. 

Reactions pour in as Burna Boy faces copyright lawsuit 

@eminadobaby wrote: “The song does not belong to Burna Boy.”

@recess_247acc wrote: “I've noticed Naijas don't read or they can't comprehend. Burna is part of the lawsuit because he was featured in the song. You know 30 bingos are always trying to tag everybody "talentless" since gbavido no get talent they're looking for people to add to their oga group.”

@luv_4ada wrote: “Please not my 4 kampe II abeg oo "I pull up uninvited me nuh bother find authorization"!”

@kingsleyogbonna43 wrote: “Na him work sample master without paying royalty.”

@destinychikanelx1 wrote: “It's not even Burna song una too hate this guy.”

@chris__celebrity wrote: “USA people and sueing na 5&6 they too like people downfall.”

@ezeqwesiri wrote: “Art is derivative, artists plagiarize a lot... Unpopular Opinion: Burna does the most sampling in Afrobeats, No?”

@rosebeach444633 wrote: “Na ft them feature am, why not sue who own the song, Cloutina, leave odogwu alone, he just needed to mention burna's name to gain relevance.”

@brooklyn__vi wrote: ““When is Fela family suing thst boy. He don suck their music dry.”

@maazi_aky wrote: “Sound track by mayD na big sample sample..my girl just played me the original and I was shocked.”

@carmenamaka wrote: “lol you suppose sue the Haitian artist not Burna who only delivered/added original vocals.”

@preciiousofficial wrote: “See as comment section dey pretend like nothing sup. Lmao.”

@queenchiesther wrote: “How you go sing kampa like say na your own.”

@canaan_navigator wrote: “Omo. It seems like Nigerian musicians are chopping lawsuits this year alone.”

@rukysconcept_ wrote: “That guy's original version about to get some good listening numbers It's all still marketing because they'll settle out of court finally.”

US court gives Davido 21 days to respond to copyright lawsuit

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Davido was accused of copyright infringement over an alleged song theft.

The plaintiffs demanded $150,000 in damages and 40 per cent of the song’s compositional rights. This triggered widespread reactions from netizens.