Skatta Burrell Against Khago Suing Seanizzle, Says Arrangements Were Mutually Beneficial

If Dancehall artist Khago, carries out his threat to sue producer Seanizzle, over copyright breaches, then it would appear that the One Day producer is in good stead in putting up a defence, as he can take cues from his compatriot Cordell ‘Skatta’ Burrell.

Khago has threatened to sue Seanizzle for copyright infringements on his Nah Sell Out breakout hit song, a track that was produced by Seanizzle’s in 2011 on his historic One Day riddim, which not only resurrected the career of Fudgie artist Mr. G, but propelled Khago to international stardom, and shot Beenie Man and Future Fambo’s Rum and Red Bull to being a major cross-over hit in the US.

Khago has also threatened to sue NotNice, Jordan McClure, DJ Frass, DJ Sunshine and GT Taylor.  The threats were made in the aftermath of his successful in a counter-suit filed against music producer Kemar “Flava” McGregor over copyright breaches.

But Skatta, seemingly looking out for Seanizzle in particular, has some expert advice for the producer, for navigating the court case, and for repudiating whatever accusations the Manchester native eventually throws at him.

For one Skatta, has warned the young producer and the others under Khago’s radar, to take the Blood a Boil artiste’s threat of court action very seriously.

“I advise any producer weh Khago probably teck it to, don’t teck it fi granted.  Don’t teck it simple, because at the end a di day, is the courts make the decision, not you.  And if a piece a paper come to the clerk of the courts or judge or lawyer, it gonna have to be looked at and dealt with.  So if you are not there to plead the case or submit your own you may just lose and be a winner in theory but where the law concerned, not so.  Teck Khago serious man!  Teck him serious!” he exclaimed.

Speaking on a recent edition of The Fix Podcast, Skatta said, historically, at least 90 percent of songs recorded in Jamaica are done under ‘gentleman’s agreements’ between artistes and producers, which in a majority of cases are equitable.

Khago has asserted that he had no signed contract with Seanizzle, but according to Skatta, Jamaican artistes are oftentimes unwilling to sign written agreements, even simple one-page documents.

Not in support of Lawsuit against Seanizzle

When asked how he felt about the news that Khago is going after other producers in Jamaica, following his recent win over McGregor, Skatta, said he had misgivings about the move.

He said it seems unjust for a youngster like Seanizzle in particular, who was, like Khago, at the time, a mere youth struggling to make it in the music industry, to be dragged before the courts, because as far as he knew, the Pembroke Hall High School old boy had not treated Khago unreasonably.

“I don’t really support dat.  No producer inna Jamaica meck enough money fi save di world or change nobaddy life, in terms of like one artiste weh record a song fi dem,” he argued.

Publishing rights responsibility

Skatta said Khago had a responsibility as an artist to ensure he secured his own publishing rights, as that component is not the responsibility or the prerogative of the producer.   He said this was a very easy process that any artist can undertake, starting with simple phone call.

“I am sure Khago was listed as a songwriter on all the songs, because if any producer put out a man song and don’t give him dat credit, yuh wrong.  But fi seh yuh a guh sue a yute – everybaddy  try mek a come-up inna dis industry an I’m sayin, if him gi yuh credit on paper an certain tings, a you fi go out an seek yuh royalties, get yuh publishing or hire somebaddy fi administrate it fi yuh.  Yuh caan just siddung an seh yuh nuh receive a dollar.   You haffi register yuh ting,” the Calabar High School old boy declared.

“If yuh record a song fi somebaddy today, an it release next week, yuh haffi ccall di publishing company and she: ‘yuh si dis song released on this label, a my song, track it’.  That’s all; you will get what’s coming to you,” he added.

Nobody else complaining

Skatta also juxtaposed Khago’s behavior with that of Beenie Man and Future Fambo, whose Rum and Red Bull track on the riddim, was a crossover hit in the US.

“Naw Sell Out is a huge song; it an Rum and Red Bull – huge song.  Mi nuh hear Beenie Man an Future Fambo seh dem a guh sue Seanizzle.  It’s on the same riddim; same production.  Suh, unless Seanizzle guh outta him way fi actually do Khago wrong, you know.   But I don’t really hear anybody else complaining,” the Downsound Records executive said.

Skatta also surmised that Seanizzle and possibly, the other producers had operated in good faith, evident in the fact that Khago had never complained about not having a contract, recorded a music video, and had toured extensively due to the hit song which he performed using Seanizzle’s One Day riddim wherever he went.

“Seanizzle was a young aspiring producer trying to meck it out here and Khago wanted to make it at the same time.  Him don’t waan si Beenieman and Fambo on a riddim an di song hit, an him deh pon di riddim an di song nuh release.  If Seanizzle neva release Khago song pon di riddim, mi sure seh Khago woulda have an issue, caw dah riddim deh bus,” Skatta said.

“Nuff time mi put out a riddim, and just chose too many songs n di riddim, an mi haffi hold back some songs an man come waan war mi; a cuss seh yow, mi a shelf dem music an mi a hol back dem career an all a dese tings.  Suh both ways it work good, an it work bad, because I am sure when that song was soaring and was a hit, Khago was relishing the moment,” Skatta posited.

Skatta’s arguments are backed up by many artists including Mr. Vegas, who have outlined on many cases in their early days, when upon hearing that a producer had created a ‘hit riddim’, they would force themselves past studio gatemen, or jump fences to beg reluctant beat-makers to voice them on the riddims especially if other Dancehall icons had done so.

Skatta is however hoping that Khago is not planning to drag him along with the list of other producers, he is out to haul before the courts.

“I don’t know if Khago has case right there; maybe he does.  So I wish dem all di best. I hope him nuh really look ova dah side yah,” Skatta quipped.

“I worked with him for a good year and a half.   A great artiste yuh know, but when yuh get pon him wrong side; yuh nuh waan have Khago pon yuh wrong side, caw him nuh have no pride when it come to put down somebaddy, him go fter you”