An online argument has erupted between a Nigerian-American man and a popular Nigerian singer. Innocent Tino, who lives in the US, is accusing Rema, a rising music star, of “stealing” a word. The drama centers around the word “ozeba,” which means “trouble” in the Benin language. Rema recently used “ozeba” in a hit song on his new album. Tino says he’s been using “ozeba” online for years, making it his own kind of saying.
He believes Rema shouldn’t have used the word without giving him credit. In his words:
“Rema need to pay me. I was the one who started using ‘Ozeba’ as gist on social media.. though a Benin word for ‘trouble’… but I made it popular on my page like 4 years ago till date and now Rema used am blow for song …my old followers will attest to it. …I will say ‘this na better Ozeba.’”
