In a surprising turn of events, the highly popular track “Talibans II” by Burna Boy and Byron Messia has been removed from YouTube due to copyright claims. The song, which had garnered millions of views and widespread acclaim, is now at the center of a heated copyright dispute that has left fans and industry insiders buzzing.
The controversy began when Jamaican dancehall artist Jeff Fullyauto filed a copyright claim against Byron Messia, alleging that the flow and rhythm of “Talibans II” were strikingly similar to his own track “Big Guns.” According to Jeff Fullyauto and his supporters, the similarities between the two songs were too significant to ignore, leading to the removal of both the original “Talibans” and the Burna Boy remix from YouTube.
Byron Messia, who was born in Jamaica and later moved to St. Kitts and Nevis, has been riding high on the success of “Talibans,” which was released in January 2023 on his debut studio album No Love. The song quickly became a hit, earning gold certifications in the UK and Canada and propelling Byron Messia into the international spotlight. The collaboration with Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy on “Talibans II” further cemented the track’s popularity, making its sudden removal all the more shocking.
In response to the copyright claim, Byron Messia took to social media to express his frustration and disappointment. He posted a screenshot from YouTube showing the removal notice, captioned with “God Alone Know” and “Uno win,” indicating his resignation to the situation. Fans of both artists have been vocal on social media, with some supporting Jeff Fullyauto’s claims and others defending Byron Messia and Burna Boy.
The removal of “Talibans II” has sparked a broader conversation about copyright issues in the music industry, particularly within the dancehall and Afrobeats genres. While some argue that similarities in rhythm and flow are common and often unavoidable, others believe that artists should be held accountable for borrowing too heavily from existing works.
Despite the setback, Byron Messia and Burna Boy remain optimistic about their future projects. Both artists have a strong track record of producing hits and are likely to bounce back from this controversy. In the meantime, fans can still enjoy their music on other platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, where “Talibans” and “Talibans II” remain available.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the music industry is constantly evolving, and artists must navigate the complexities of copyright law while continuing to push creative boundaries. The saga of “Talibans II” serves as a reminder of the challenges and triumphs that come with making music in the digital age.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, and keep an eye out for new releases from Burna Boy and Byron Messia as they continue to make waves in the music world.