Veteran Ghanaian highlife musician Sloopy Mike Gyamfi, widely known as Mike Kwadwo Gyamfi, has accused popular singer Kuami Eugene of performing his classic song “Asem Kakra” without first seeking his permission.
Speaking during an interview on Okay FM on Wednesday, March 11, the veteran musician revealed that Kuami Eugene had performed a version of the song which is currently circulating online.
According to Gyamfi, he only became aware of the rendition after coming across it on the internet.
“Kuami Eugene took my song. You can find it on YouTube. He sang the song so nicely. The song is titled Asem Kakra. If you Google it with Kuami Eugene’s name, you will see it,” he said.
The highlife legend explained that the younger artiste essentially performed a cover of the track while incorporating a few additional lyrics of his own.
Despite raising concerns about the lack of permission, Gyamfi was quick to acknowledge that the performance itself was well done.
He noted that Kuami Eugene delivered the song beautifully, which he said shows the younger generation still appreciates classic Ghanaian highlife music.
However, Gyamfi emphasised that the issue was not about the quality of the performance but rather about the importance of professional respect within the music industry.
According to him, it would have been proper for Kuami Eugene to contact him before performing or releasing a version of the song.
“He is like my son, so if he admires what I did and wants to do something with my song, I have no problem with it. But he should have at least consulted me first,” Gyamfi explained.
The veteran musician also clarified that he holds no grudge against Kuami Eugene and has already forgiven him for the situation.
Instead, he expressed openness to meeting the singer in the future to have a friendly conversation about the matter.
Gyamfi’s comments highlight a recurring issue within the music industry regarding copyright, permissions and the use of older works by newer artistes.
In Ghana, many younger musicians often perform or reinterpret classic songs by veteran artistes, sometimes as tributes or to introduce the music to a new generation of listeners.
However, industry experts often stress that such adaptations should involve proper communication and authorisation from the original creators or rights holders.
For Gyamfi, the matter appears more about mutual respect than legal action.
He made it clear that he appreciates the admiration shown for his work but believes the right procedures should always be followed.
The veteran highlife musician concluded by saying he would be happy to engage Kuami Eugene in a discussion and possibly even collaborate if the opportunity arises.
His remarks have since sparked conversations among music lovers about the importance of acknowledging the contributions of veteran artistes and ensuring their works are properly respected when revisited by younger performers.
