Both claiming production rights to 'Black and Proud'

Davina Henry, Star Writer

The song 'Black and Proud, by up-and-coming artiste Black Queen has been steadily gaining momentum, but now the producer of the song is crying foul because he is not getting the recognition he deserves.

Othniel Graham, also known as Ras Capalu, told THE STAR that he built the rhythm, produced and mixed the song for Black Queen, who has now taken the production as her own and has stopped him from getting the recognition he deserves.

"Mi build di rhythm, mix it and produce it. Mi know Black Queen from childhood days, so mi link her and tell her say mi have a riddim. When we done the song she ask me fi $50,000 fi do a video, and I couldn't afford it because me have mi sick grandmother fi take care of. So she go shoot the video with another label and did not mention that I produced it," Capalu said.

Exploited

He added that he did not charge Black Queen for studio time or for the rhythm because of their friendship, but he is now feeling exploited because of how Black Queen has handled the situation.

"Mi see her pon interviews a big up everybody but me. Me and her had a verbal agreement fi we split it 50/50. A my production but a other people name a call pon it. Mi not even too concerned bout the money, but I want the recognition for the work that I put in. She all a try pay me off wid $15,000 fi get a cut of the riddim and mi tell her no," he said.

Black Queen, however, has denied these allegations.

"He built the rhythm but a me produce it. I gave him some money and I was supposed to give him some more money for the work he did. Every time mi call him fi di money, him don't come for it," she said.

Black Queen also said she suggested to Ras Capalu that they work together because she knew he was going through a rough time, but now regrets this decision.

"Him a hide from me and watch me do all the work, but that's what I expect from waggonists and dirty-minded people. The song was on a countdown and I asked him to spend $1,000 to vote for the song to show that he is interested in helping with the promotion and he didn't do it. Him a exploit me. Him need fi come collect him money, and leave me alone and stop hype offa me," Black Queen warned.