30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Ajai urges constructive discussion to resolve Man Senoi, 4U2C concert dispute
KUALA LUMPUR: A dispute between composer Man Senoi and his wife, Mama Rap, and the organisers of the WE 4U2C Live In Concert can be resolved through amicable discussions.
Popular composer and member of rock band Exists, Ajai, believes that all parties should engage in friendly dialogue to achieve a positive outcome.
"This can lead to a 'win-win' situation, and they need to meet each other halfway. Our music industry is small. If we're too rigid, nothing will progress," he said.
"Perhaps they have internal issues that we're unaware of, but this matter can definitely be settled. Let's discuss it," Ajai added, speaking at the Exists Premium Live @ PJ press conference held at IOI City shopping mall yesterday.
The event announced Exists' upcoming concert, scheduled for Oct 4 at JioSpace, Petaling Jaya.
Ajai stressed the importance of artistes being aware of copyright issues and resolving any problems constructively.
"The licensing body, Music Authors' Copyright Protection Berhad (MACP), is for writers. What Man Senoi and Mama Rap have raised relates to 'sound audio' or recorded material," he explained.
"When it comes to recorded material, it belongs to the 'investor'. Remember what happened to Dayang Nurfaizah, where the song I composed, 'Seandainya Masih Ada Cinta', couldn't be sung for almost four years."
"However, once the court proceedings were finalised, Dayang was able to sing the song again," he recounted, advising all music enthusiasts to familiarise themselves with international copyright practices.
Meanwhile, Exists guitarist Along said that 4U2C members are within their rights to discuss royalties with Man Senoi.
"For me, there's nothing wrong with 4U2C performing a concert, because Man Senoi will still receive royalties," Along commented.
"In our view, there's no issue with 4U2C staging concerts for the benefit of the local music industry's development."
Recently, Man Senoi and Mama Rap reportedly claimed they were not informed about the WE 4U2C Live In Concert, despite fully owning the copyrights to songs by the popular 1990s hip-hop group.
Man Senoi was quoted questioning how 4U2C could stage a concert when the 25 recorded songs are the property of their company, Zman Production.
The WE 4U2C Live In Concert, organised by Juss Event, will feature seven members of 4U2C: Datuk AC Mizal, Aren, Yanz, Rinz, Lanz, Charlie, and Azam.
It is set to take place on Sept 15 at the Idea Live Arena in Petaling Jaya.
