This archive report was first published on 31 August 2019.
On August 31, 2019, Nairobi News reported on the sudden disappearance of Ethic's song 'Figa' from YouTube.
It was later discovered that the song's beat was lifted from a Dutch rapper's song 'Cono', released on December 9, 2017.
Cono, a collaboration between Jhorrmountain, Puri, and Adje, had gained over 25 million views on YouTube, while Ethic's 'Figa' had reached over one million views in just two months.
Kenyan social media users were quick to point out the plagiarism, with many commenting on Cono's YouTube page.
‘I’ve heard this beat before but I can’t figa it out,’ said Newton Muthuri.
‘Kama uko hapa after ethic pull down. Piga like kakisonga,’ stated two minute movie scene.
‘Gonga like if you here after the figa ban,’ wrote Keith Kipkoech.
‘Kenyan producers are trash wallai,’ commented Watson Gitau.
‘Naskiza hii song but the words in my head ni “mbulu luku washa kindukulu”,’ said Ed K.
Despite the controversy, Ethic had received positive feedback for their song, including a remix by Homeboyz radio presenter G Money and attention from Jamaican dancehall singer Konshens.
However, the group has remained silent on the issue, failing to publicly address the plagiarism allegations.
Compare the two songs:
Puri x Jhorrmountain x Adje – Coño
Ethic’s Figa
