The House of Representatives, in a commitment to secure just compensation and royalties from the musical works of the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad, assured his family of their unwavering support.
Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Olumide Osoba, who represents the Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency in Ogun State, made this pledge during an interactive session focused on the rights and royalties of the deceased rapper, who sadly passed away at the age of 27 on September 12, 2023.
This resolution stemmed from a motion of urgent public importance initially presented by Babajimi Benson, a legislator representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos State under the All Progressives Congress.
Osoba emphasized the critical importance of securing compensation and royalties for artists, highlighting that revenue derived from these sources is a significant part of artists’ income. He expressed concern that the existing framework within the Nigerian music industry does not adequately protect musicians, especially emerging talents, and hinders them from fully accessing their entitled earnings.
According to Osoba, emerging artists often encounter difficulties when negotiating equitable royalty agreements, particularly when dealing with major record labels that may exploit the vulnerability of musicians. He stressed the necessity of increasing awareness among musical artists to empower them to assert their rights and obtain fair compensation for their creative works, especially during disputes with their record labels.
Furthermore, Osoba recognized the need to adapt the music industry to the digital age, where streaming platforms have transformed music consumption and distribution. However, he pointed out that young musicians often struggle to generate substantial income due to outdated royalty structures.
Advocating for revised royalty models that accurately reflect the value of music in the streaming era is crucial. To this end, Osoba announced that the committee has requested relevant information pertaining to Mohbad’s passing and is working on establishing mechanisms to ensure that his royalties and other benefits are safeguarded.
