Popular Ghanaian Entertainment critic, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo, has criticized rapper and businessman Criss Waddle for his recent social media comments regarding the ongoing legal battle between gospel group Alabaster Box and Medikal.
Arnold did not mince words as he described Criss Waddle’s remarks as unnecessary and immature. “Criss Waddle’s tweets about Alabaster Box’s GH₵15 million lawsuit against Medikal make no sense,” Arnold fired.
He further criticized Waddle for mocking the gospel group on social media instead of guiding Medikal in appropriately addressing the issue.
“Criss should have acted maturely by calling Medikal to order and allowing him to acknowledge the fact that he was wrong by sampling some part of their songs, rather than writing that rubbish on Twitter.”
Arnold Asamoah Baidoo
Arnold described the rapper’s actions as “Nsem Hunu,” stressing that “there was no sense in what he wrote if that is his actual Twitter page.”
He also questioned whether Criss Waddle, “Would you be happy if the same were done to you, especially as a creative or an entertainment person you are?” Arnold asked.
Arnold emphasized that every artist’s music is their intellectual property, and that should be respected regardless of the genre.
“Their rights have been infringed upon, whether they are gospel singers or whatever, so don’t sit in the comfort of your home and write anything you want, it’s nonsense. You need to grow because you are old. Instead of you telling Medikal to order so you know what you guys can do or the way forward, you are there tweeting rubbish.”
Arnold Asamoah Baidoo
Arnold also highlighted how respectfully Alabaster Box initially handled the issue when they realized a portion of their song had been sampled.
The controversy stems from a lawsuit filed by gospel music group Alabaster Box against Medikal for allegedly using portions of their song ‘Akwaaba’ in his recently released track ‘Welcome to Africa’ without permission.
The group is demanding GH₵10 million in general damages for copyright infringement, citing that Medikal failed to fully take down the content from various digital platforms.
Criss Waddle, reacting on X (formerly Twitter), ridiculed the group, suggesting their legal action was financially motivated.
“Life is not easy. To see Christian musicians sue their son’s age mate for money still surprises me. I wonder what you’d have done were you not God-fearing.”
Criss Waddle
When a user challenged him by pointing out the legal basis of the issue, Waddle responded.
“If they were [secular] musicians, I would understand. But Gospel? You ask to be paid, but to ask for 15 million cedis? How much does a whole album generate? If you want to be wicked, don’t add Christianity to your identity.”
Criss Waddle
Vida Urges Alabaster Box to Increase Demands of Medikal
Entertainment pundit Vida Adutwumwaa urged Alabaster Box to increase their demands of Medikal.
According to her, the artist has been disrespectful after using their intellectual property, and it is only right that they increase their demands of the artist.
She cited Medikal’s reaction to TV3 when they erred in a discussion about Sarkodie and his reaction, indicating that that is how the people feel about his use of their intellectual property without any form of acknowledgement.
“Not everyone can make quick money in Ghana; that is the reason why the Alabaster guys think that their intellectual property should work for them. They respected Medikal and asked that he stop using it, but the artist hasn’t done that. I am sure if he had, they would have put the information out.
“If you are angry, this is how you react, but you have used someone’s intellectual property without proper acknowledgement, and you are telling them how to react. It doesn’t make any sense. Arnold said the demands are harsh, but I think it is because of the disrespect from Medikal that they are calling for stiffer punishment. I think they should even increase the GHC 15 million.”
Vida Adutwumwaa
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