Shaft ‘forgot’ he gave song to DeeVine

TRINIDADIAN SONGWRITER JASON Shaft Bishop says he “genuinely forgot” that he had sent the same song to DeeVine in 2015 when he sold it to Nikita this year.

Responding to the controversy surrounding the song released by Nikita for Crop Over 2017 entitled Same Way, Shaft Vibes Entertainment said Shaft expressed regret at the turn of events.

“In 2015, Shaft sent the song to DeeVine so she could record it Shaft did not follow up with her and DeeVine released the song. Shaft was not aware that the song had been released and there was not much traction with it then.

“In 2017, De Red Boyz asked Shaft if the song was available. Shaft informed them it was free to use. Unfortunately, he did not have a proper classification system at the time and genuinely forgot that he had sent the song to DeeVine two years earlier,” a statement released today said.

It went on to note that from a legal perspective, Shaft owns 100 per cent of the publishing rights since he wrote and composed the song and DeeVine has no such rights.

The statement said Shaft is legally allowed to give his song to another artist and DeeVine owns 100 per cent of the master rights of her version of We De Same.

Similarly, Red Boyz recorded Nikita and together own 100 per cent of the master rights of this 2017 version of Same Way.

The statement said Shaft was unable to inform De Red Boyz and Nikita about the previous version since he did not remember that DeeVine had done the song.

“Nevertheless, the Red Boyz did their own diligence, did not find the song anywhere and, as a result, concluded it was a brand-new song. Shaft regrets he did not have a system in place then to prevent such and is truly sorry for the stress this may have caused all parties involved.

“We believe that Nikita‘s interpretation and Red Boyz production is outstanding and once again Shaft, with the right artist and producer, has brought back life to a great song.

“Shaft’s motto and objective are to push soca music to the world and he is working hard for that. Shaft feels privileged to work with the best artists in this arena and is looking forward to another great Crop Over with talented Bajan artists,” the release concluded. (PR/NB)

Nikita’s manager Richard Haynes also spoke on the matter.