Kenyan musicians Fathermoh, Harry Craze win orders against Black Market Records in copyright dispute
Two popular Kenyan musicians have scored a significant legal victory in their fight for control over their own music.
Fathermoh and Harry Craze have secured temporary court orders stopping Black Market Records from exploiting their songs. The ruling prevents the label from claiming ownership, monetizing, or interfering with their artistic works while their copyright dispute is being resolved.
Harry Craze, formerly of the Rico Gang, told the court that even after the group disbanded in late 2023, the label continued to assert rights over both collective and his solo tracks like Matopare, Luku Ni Pyam, and Diglo. He accused them of wrongly removing songs from streaming platforms and earning revenue without his permission or proper accounting. Similarly, Fathermoh from Mbuzi Gang claimed the label unlawfully took control of 63 of his songs and issued copyright strikes that hurt his online presence and income.
The artists, represented by lawyer Adrian Kamotho, argue that their agreements with the label are invalid due to fraud and misrepresentation. They say the actions have violated their economic and moral rights under Kenya’s Copyright Act, affecting their careers and ability to release new music freely. The tribunal granted interim injunctive relief to protect them until the full case is heard.
This development brings hope to many Kenyan creatives who often struggle with unfair contracts in the music industry. As the case proceeds, it could set an important precedent for artist rights and fair practices. Fans are celebrating the news, eager to see both artists resume their careers without restrictions and continue producing the hits that have made them household names.
