"Once I saw it, it was very clear that it was a copy."
The 2020 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to start, however, Indian rapper KR$NA has accused the cricket league of plagiarising one of his songs.
On September 6, 2020, the IPL released its official anthem for the season, titled ‘Aayenge Hum Wapas’.
It was released with the caption: “The greater the setback… The stronger the comeback.”
But KR$NA, whose real name is Krishna Kaul, has alleged that the IPL took his 2017 song ‘Dekh Kaun Aaya Waapas’ and used it to create the anthem.
He explained that he was not given credit for the anthem nor was he contacted for permission to use the song.
He wrote on Twitter: “Hey guys, IPL has plagiarised my song ‘Dekh Kaun Aaya Waapas’ and created ‘Aayenge Hum Wapas’ as this year’s anthem without credit or consent.
“I request my fellow artists and friends on twitter to RT this tweet for awareness, they can not get away with this.”
KR$NA told Times of India that he came across the anthem after his social media followers tagged him.
He said: “My followers tagged me on the anthem’s video and asked me to check it out, saying it was similar.
“Once I saw it, it was very clear that it was a copy. How can you have the same melody and similar lyrics for two songs?
“It can’t be a coincidence. There is no point in asking for credit now, with the song having been released but what I want is an acknowledgement that it has been copied from my song.”
KR$NA posted another Tweet, showing his followers a comparison of the two songs.
My song “Dekh Kaun Aaya Wapas” has been plagiarised by @DisneyPlusHS @Hotstarusa to make this years @IPL anthem “Aayenge Hum Wapas” without my consent or credit. #iplanthemcopied For context, here is a comparison video: https://t.co/FUDf2Xse4Q pic.twitter.com/tHZveSGOec
— KR$NA (@realkrsna) September 9, 2020
KR$NA later claimed that he received a response from the ‘Music Composer’s Association of India’ stating that the plagiarisation of hip-hop songs is “permissible”.
This is scary! I just got word that ‘Music Composer’s Association of India’ has suggested that plagiarisation of Hip Hop songs is permissible in their opinion because all hip hop songs sound the same. Shabaash! Tumhara khoon khoon, hamara khoon paani! #IPLanthemcopied
— KR$NA (@realkrsna) September 9, 2020
The IPL anthem has been sung by Rohit Kumar Chaudhary (RCR Rapper) and composed by Pranav Ajayrao Malpe (Dhruvv).
Since the controversy came to light, Chaudhary has distanced himself, stating that he was not involved in the writing of the song.
He said: “I merely provided vocals to the song, just how I was asked by the team. I have not composed or written it. I hadn’t heard the other song before it was brought to my notice after the allegations surfaced.”
On the other hand, Malpe claimed that ‘Aayenge Hum Wapas’ was an original creation.
“The song has been created by me and my team through our hard work and efforts. It has not been inspired by any other artiste’s work.
“These accusations against me are completely false. The lyrics of the song are also completely different.”
On whether he heard KR$NA’s song, he replied:
“As part of the hip-hop industry, I listen to various hip-hop/rap artistes.”
Cricket fans sided with the rapper and have demanded that KR$NA be credited.
The 2020 IPL season is set to begin on September 19 and run until November 10, 2020. All matches will take place in the United Arab Emirates.
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