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Nigerian singer Mr Real has responded strongly to claims made by his colleague Idowest over the ownership of the popular street anthem Legbegbe, insisting that he remains the rightful creator of the hit track.
The disagreement resurfaced after Idowest appeared on a livestream with popular streamer Carter Efe, where he alleged that he was the original writer of the song and only allowed Mr Real to feature on it as a friend from their neighbourhood.
The track Legbegbe, released in 2018, became one of the biggest street anthems in Nigeria at the time, gaining massive popularity and helping to push the Shaku Shaku dance movement into mainstream recognition. The song’s success also played a significant role in both artistes’ visibility within the Nigerian music industry.
During the livestream, Idowest made a bold claim about his contribution to the record, stating that he was the sole composer of the track.
“I am the original owner of ‘Legbegbe.’ I composed the full song. I only featured Mr Real on the track as my boy in the hood but now he’s claiming the song. He is an old man, I will beat him up,” Idowest said during the session.
His remarks quickly sparked reactions online, with fans debating the true origin of the viral anthem and reigniting conversations about credit ownership in collaborative music projects.
In a swift response, Mr Real released a video statement dismissing the claims and defending his role in the creation of the song. He maintained that Idowest’s version of events was false and misleading.
According to him, he has no intention of engaging in a prolonged dispute but felt compelled to correct what he described as a misrepresentation of facts.
“Idowest, I heard everything you said at Carter Efe’s live. You said you will beat me in a match. I am your senior brother and I will beat you.
“I heard you were deported from America. Instead of you to promote your music, you are downgrading me and claiming my song, ‘Legbegbe.’ I won’t even waste my precious time on you,” Mr Real said.
The exchange has since generated mixed reactions across social media platforms, with fans of both artistes defending their preferred side while others called for calm and proper clarification on the song’s origin.
Legbegbe remains one of the defining street-hop records of its era, widely credited with shaping the sound and dance culture that dominated Nigerian streets in the late 2010s. Its success also helped spotlight the growing influence of street-inspired music within mainstream Afrobeats.
Industry observers note that disputes over songwriting credits are not uncommon in collaborative projects, especially in the Nigerian music scene where informal arrangements sometimes lead to disagreements years after a song becomes successful.
As the debate continues, neither Mr Real nor Idowest has indicated any plans for reconciliation or formal resolution of the matter. However, the controversy has once again brought attention to the importance of clear credit agreements in music production and collaborations.
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