If you’ve been on TikTok, you know covers are all over the place. People love putting their spin on trending songs, and that’s exactly what happened with the song Oluwatosin.
A person by the name Deborah made a cover and shared it on her TikTok. Her version was so gorgeous that it blew up. It seemed like a win-win at first: the original song got more attention, and Deborah as well. But then, some opportunists swooped in and stole her cover. They uploaded her version to streaming platforms and tried to pass it off as their own. This ended up creating a second version of Oluwatosin that took away royalties from the original artist, Tkeyz.
Deborah didn’t even know what was going on. She had no clue that her fun TikTok cover had turned into a way for others to cash in.
Watch the Video Here
For Tkeyz, this was rough. Just think about it—putting your heart and soul into a song, spending money on production, and before you can even break even, other people are already cashing in on your hard work. He had to go online and plead with fans to stop backing those fake uploads.
If you just heard a fire track and you’re itching to do your own version? Maybe add a twist, change the style, or just sing it the way you feel it. There’s something you need to know, covers come with legal rules. Yup, you can’t just pick a song, record it, and throw it on YouTube or Spotify without thinking of copyright. Let’s break it down so you know the dos and the don’t.
Read Also: From Lagos to the Nations: Tkeyz & SteveHills Deliver ‘Oluwatosin’”
#1 Why Covers Aren’t Just “Free for All”
When you do a cover, you’re using someone else’s intellectual property—their lyrics, melody, and arrangement. Copyright law protects all of that. So, even if you sang it better 👀, the song still belongs to the songwriter.
That’s why people get copyright strikes, takedowns, or worse… lawsuits.
#2 The Dos
- Get the right license
If you plan to drop your cover on Spotify, Apple Music, or any streaming platform, you’ll need a mechanical license. For YouTube videos, you may need a sync license.
- Always give credit
It’s simple: mention the songwriter and the original artist. Not only is it respectful, but it also makes you look professional.
- Add your own spice
Don’t just photocopy the song. Switch the beat, change the vibe, or even mash it with another style. That way, your cover feels unique.
#3 The Don’ts
❌ Don’t claim it’s your original
Your audience deserves honesty. Always say it’s a cover.
❌ Don’t monetize without permission
Trying to make money off someone else’s song without clearing it is risky. Always secure a license first.
❌ Don’t change the lyrics carelessly
Tweaking lyrics can create a whole new “derivative work.” That’s another license on its own. If you must change words, get approval first.
❌ Don’t assume live = safe
Singing covers at a concert or bar is usually fine because the venue pays for performance rights. But once you record that performance and put it online, you’re back in licensing territory.
Wrapping It Up
Covers can be a huge door-opener but you’ve got to respect the original creators, get your licenses sorted, and put your own flavor into the song. That way, your cover doesn’t just sound amazing—it’s also 100% legal.
