BURNA BOY SUED IN NEW YORK OVER ALLEGED SONG THEFT
Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has been hit with a lawsuit in a New York court by Haitian music icon Fabrice Rouzier, who accuses him of copyright infringement involving Rouzier’s 2002 hit, “Je Vais.”
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the suit alleges that Burna Boy and French-Haitian singer Joe Dwet File (real name Joe Gilles) illegally used Rouzier’s composition, sound, and visuals in their recent release “4 Kampe II,” which dropped on March 28, 2025.
Court documents reveal that the issue dates back to late 2024, when Gilles released the original version of “4 Kampe,” which reportedly sampled elements of “Je Vais.” Despite receiving a cease-and-desist letter and allegedly admitting to the unauthorized use, Gilles proceeded to release a remix featuring Burna Boy. The remix, “4 Kampe II,” allegedly contains lyrics and melodies almost identical to Rouzier’s work — including the French phrase, “Chérie, ou sou sa kampe.”
Rouzier is accusing both artists of knowingly capitalizing on stolen intellectual property, claiming it has caused him financial loss, reputational harm, and missed opportunities. He is demanding compensatory and exemplary damages, legal fees, and an injunction to block further use of his work. Additionally, he’s requesting that all infringing versions of the song and video be destroyed.
