Manu Dibango sues Michael Jackson for the second time

Manu Dibango

African international music superstar, Cameroonean Manu Dibango has sued international music star, Michael Jackson again for copyright infringements.

According to a BBC Focus on Africa show monitored by ghanabusinessnews.com, Debango first sued Michael Jackson in 1983 for using a sample of his song, “Soul Makosa” without his permission. Michael Jackson used part of the song in his song “Wanna be starting something.”

In 1983, the two stars settled the case out of court and Dibango was made a joint writer of the music.

But this time, Dibango is suing Michael Jackson again together with Caribbean musician Rihana. Rihana used that part of Michael Jackson's song in her music titled, “Like the way you do this.” In Rihana's case she acknowledged Michael Jackson solely for the work, without attribution to Manu Dibango.

Manu Dibango's lawyers are arguing that one cannot take a part of a song and treat it as separate from the song itself. In their view, a part of a song must be treated as part of the whole song.

Manu Dibango is a major force to reckon with in the annals of African music, and in the early 70s when he burst onto the scene, he took the entire continent and the world by a storm. His brand of music is moving as it is rhythmic.

In the past, Will Smith and Jay-Z have used portions of his works in their music.

Manu Dibango was in Ghana last year as part of the Cameroonean delegation to the Accra High Conference on Aid Effectiveness form September 2-4, 2008 and he did some performances.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi