Nigerian actor Yemi Ayebo, popularly known as ‘Yemi My Lover’, has made a startling accusation against singer Olamide, claiming that the musician ignored his calls after using his name in a song. In a video interview shared on social media, Yemi Ayebo revealed that he has never received any form of compensation from singers and content creators who have used his name in their music and content.
The actor expressed his initial excitement when Olamide first used his name in a song, stating that it brought him more popularity. However, his enthusiasm was short-lived, as he claimed that Olamide refused to acknowledge him or respond to his calls, despite being introduced by Fuji legend Pasuma. According to Yemi Ayebo, Pasuma had asked Olamide if he had settled him for using his name, to which Olamide replied that he should collect his contact number from Pasuma and reach out to him directly.
Yemi Ayebo stated that he called Olamide for over six months, but his calls were consistently ignored. He also sent messages that went unanswered, leaving him feeling disappointed and disrespected. The actor quoted Olamide as saying that his name is “blessed by God”, which is why many artists, including Davido and skit makers, have used it in their content. Despite this, Yemi Ayebo feels that he deserves some form of recognition or compensation for the use of his name.
The incident has sparked a conversation about the ethics of using someone’s name or likeness in creative works without their consent or compensation. While Yemi Ayebo acknowledges that the use of his name has brought him more popularity, he feels that it is only fair that he receives some form of acknowledgement or payment from those who have benefited from his name. The video interview, which can be watched online, has sparked a heated debate about the rights of individuals whose names or likenesses are used in creative works without their permission.
