Social media activist VeryDarkMan has sparked fresh controversy after claiming he owns the popular street phrase “Don’t Play,” alleging that Afrobeats star Wizkid used it without permission.
The outspoken commentator made the claim in a viral video, insisting that the phrase has been officially trademarked under his name.
According to VeryDarkMan, he invested heavily to secure legal rights over his brand and signature expressions.
“Na me get am, look am. I use close to a million Naira take do my trademark. All those names VDM, Verydarkman, I don trademark am since. So yes, na me get ‘Don’t Play’,” he said.
He went on to allege that Wizkid “sampled” the phrase, arguing that many people do not realise that even spoken catchphrases can be protected.
“Wizkid sample me. While we think say na only musicians Wizkid dey sample, we never knew that he sampled my word, and I trademarked it,” he added.
VeryDarkMan also claimed the phrase has spread widely in pop culture, mentioning singer Kizz Daniel as another artiste who has used it.
“For you to know how big ‘Don’t Play’ is, even Kizz Daniel use am,” he said.
The activist didn’t stop there. He addressed Wizkid’s fanbase, popularly known as Wizkid FC, challenging them while praising his own supporters, known as the Ratel Movement.
“So Wizkid FC, make una join the fanbase of other celebs wey I don call out before. When una don big well well then make una come for me. Una still no big pass Ratel movement. Na we be the nation builders.”
This development adds another layer to the ongoing online back-and-forth between VeryDarkMan and Wizkid’s fanbase, which began after debates comparing modern Afrobeats stars to Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.