Latest news with #ZmanProduction
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Man Senoi, wife consider taking action against 4U2C
KUALA LUMPUR: Composer Man Senoi and his wife, Mama Rap, are considering legal action against the group 4U2C and related parties involved in organising the "WE 4U2C Live in Concert" in Petaling Jaya, scheduled for next September. Man Senoi, whose real name is Othman Masri, 72, claims to be the copyright owner of 4U2C's songs. He said that neither 4U2C nor the concert organisers have approached them to discuss the ownership of the songs intended for performance at the concert. "To be honest, no one from their side has said anything about this matter yet. I'm still waiting; it's not me who is at fault," he said. "There hasn't been any news from the concert organisers yet. However, they informed me they'd be in touch but I haven't heard anything." Speaking at a press conference on royalty collection organised by Karyawan at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MATIC) yesterday, Man Senoi added, "For now, we are not taking legal action; let them do a concert if they want. After that, perhaps we will take action with all the evidence we have." Man Senoi also issued a reminder to the hip-hop group, which was once under his recording company, Zman Production, to ensure any concerts are staged through the correct channels. "If they want to do a big concert, use common sense. Whose songs do you want to play?" he questioned. "The 'sound recording' they want to use for the performance is the property of Zman Production; no one else can use it." He further clarified, "We are not members of Public Performance Malaysia (PPM), so they need to contact us. I just want them to understand that we should do all this through the right channels." "If everyone agrees, we have no problem. Why is it so difficult to meet us? Put your ego aside because all this will affect the concert," he stressed. Meanwhile, Mama Rap, whose real name is Ramziah Mohamed Noor, 62, claimed that 4U2C has become like an "enemy" since their last collaboration in 1993. "We just wanted them to come and meet us before the concert. We have not been in contact with any of them," she said. "They and we are already like No.1 enemies. The last time, in 1993, they just left our company; it's been over 30 years since we last saw each other. They were with Zman Production for three years from 1991 to 1993," she recounted. It was previously reported that Man Senoi and Mama Rap had asserted copyright ownership of 4U2C's songs, but neither he nor his wife was informed about the upcoming concert. Man Senoi was also reported to have questioned how the group intended to hold a concert if the 25 songs planned for performance were the property of their company, Zman Production.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Man Senoi: 'How can 4U2C hold a concert if we own the copyright to 25 songs?'
KUALA LUMPUR: Composer and producer Man Senoi, and his wife Mama Rap, who also owns the copyright to 4U2C's songs, claim they have not been contacted by anyone regarding the WE 4U2C Live In Concert event, set to take place at the Idea Live Arena in Petaling Jaya on Sept 15. Man Senoi, whose real name is Othman Masri, 72, and his wife, Ramziah Mohamed Noor, 62, said they should have been informed as they hold the full copyright to a collection of songs from the popular 1990s hip-hop group. "They signed as artistes under our company, Zman Production. We gathered them and held auditions. Before that, they sang rock songs," he told Harian Metro. He added, "When we had all seven members, we started looking for a record company but were rejected. Instead, they asked if we could sell the rap concept. Our lives were a real struggle. We sold gold chains to pay for their clothes and training costs. We did some initial publicity in the newspapers, and fans started going crazy for 4U2C." Man Senoi and Mama Rap said that initial orders of 50,000 units boosted their confidence to release 4U2C's debut album in 1992. "At that time, there was no name yet. We eventually agreed on the name 4U2C, and it would be under our full management, with BMG record company as a third-party distributor," he explained. "After the second album, there was friction between us, which ended in court with our side winning. However, they continued to play our songs in their shows, even though the copyright belongs to us." He added, "There was a feeling of wanting to sue, but when we thought about the other members, we let it go. But now we can't compromise anymore." Man Senoi questioned how 4U2C could hold a concert when 25 songs, including popular ones, were owned by Zman Production. "Don't mess with the copyright. Copyright laws in Malaysia are strong. Don't play around. If you're going to do it, do it properly. We're not prohibiting you from using it, but we don't want you to mess with the copyright. I've been to the Copyright Tribunal and I know this stuff." He issued a stern warning: "Don't try to play with fire. This is dangerous. It would be a pity if the business doesn't work out. Tickets won't sell, and a few other things. This is the truth. We are the ones who paid for the 'tracks'. We are the ones who paid for all the production." According to him, all 25 songs are their sole property, and the 4U2C members incurred no costs. "They're just artistes. BMG didn't spend any money either. Don't make a big deal about royalties because we've already paid them directly to BMG," he clarified. "If you want to do a concert, you have to get a permit. Make sure the song ownership is in black and white. It needs approval from MACP and the record company. That's the right thing to do." He added, "Only then can the organiser hold the concert. Otherwise, they can't do it blindly. They could be sued later. The lawsuits are very, very expensive. Don't mess around." The couple, however, are still open to further discussions with the organisers, accompanied by their lawyers. 4U2C sparked a phenomenon in the early 1990s after releasing their debut album, 4U2C, which exploded with hits like "Fiona," "Kami Rappers," "Hip Hop Tip Top Si Jantungku," and "Suara Asia," among many others.
