By: OBSERVERS TIMES
Nigerian music sensation Burna Boy is being sued in a New York court by Haitian music icon Fabrice Rouzier for allegedly stealing elements of his 2002 song ‘Je Vais’. The lawsuit, which also names French-Haitian singer Joe Gilles, seeks substantial damages for copyright infringement related to the songs ‘4 Kampe’ and ‘4 Kampe II’.
Legal documents reveal that Rouzier claims Gilles’ ‘4 Kampe’, released in fall 2024, and its subsequent remix with Burna Boy, ‘4 Kampe II’ (released on March 28, 2025), unlawfully incorporate the narrative, musical composition, sound recording, and video content of ‘Je Vais’. Rouzier alleges that Gilles admitted to the initial infringement after receiving a cease and desist letter.
Despite this alleged admission, Rouzier claims Gilles collaborated with Burna Boy on ‘4 Kampe II’, which he asserts continues to mimic ‘Je Vais’, pointing to similar lyrics like “Cherie, ou sou sa kampe”. The lawsuit argues that Burna Boy was aware of Gilles’ alleged admission but still participated in the infringing activity, causing significant financial and reputational harm to Rouzier.
Rouzier is asking the court for compensatory and punitive damages, as well as coverage of his legal expenses. He is also seeking an injunction to stop Gilles and Burna Boy from further using his identity in connection with the disputed songs and an order for the destruction of all infringing copies.
This legal action against Burna Boy follows a similar lawsuit filed in the US against his contemporary, Davido, just two weeks prior, involving allegations of song theft from Nigerian artists.
