It’s disappointing to see huge brands ripping off musical artists of their sweat as they try to make a profit off them.
Such is the case of BMW South Africa, a leading vehicle manufacturer in the region that has upset masses over their new advert celebrating the iconic Gusheshe, the Grootman of BMW vehicles.
Giving an ear to the very first second of the video, one could start humming Kwesta’s smash hit song Spirit where he featured the American rapper Wale.
This is because the car manufacturer basically remade not just his song but all the various aspects shown on Kwesta’s music video from the township, people playing with cards, the whistles, and the iconic car being spined – all a mirror of Kwesta’s video.
It’s safe to say Mzansi, and Kwesta himself almost believed he shot the BMW advert using his song, but alas, the car company had produced a remake of his song.
The very same song was inturn sampled by Kwesta from Mzansi’s house music group, Spiritchasers’s track These Tears.
Giving an ear to the very first second of the video, one could start humming Kwesta’s smash hit song Spirit where he featured the American rapper Wale.
This is because the car manufacturer basically remade not just his song but all the various aspects shown on Kwesta’s music video from the township, people playing with cards, the whistles, and the iconic car being spined – all a mirror of Kwesta’s video.
It’s safe to say Mzansi, and Kwesta himself almost believed he shot the BMW advert using his song, but alas, the car company had produced a remake of his song.
The very same song was inturn sampled by Kwesta from Mzansi’s house music group, Spiritchasers’s track These Tears.
But unlike, Kwesta who first got Sporitchasers’ permission to sample their music, BMW Group decided to rip off the artist’s work with no word or credit.
“This #HeritageMonth, we celebrate the life of the iconic #Gusheshe, the ‘Grootman’ of BMW that will always be a mark of inspiration in Mzansi. #TheLegacyLivesOn with the new #BMW330isEdition. Iyeza. #BMW325is” read the BMW caption on their clip.
To which the disgruntled rapper was quick to react showing dissatisfaction over intellectual property theft.
He shared how much effort he and his team put in getting the right to sample that song which BMW has freely and effortlessly used without credit.
“Do the right thing!!! It took so much effort from so many people to get the rights to sample that song. We did the right thing because we understood the value of the art! This ad cheapens all of those efforts. DO THE RIGHT THING FOR ‘The Grootmans’ @BMW_SA” Kwesta tweeted.
However, BMW did not bother reaching out to the rapper since the day the advert was aired. Kwesta confirmed he and his team have since reached out to BMW over the affair.
