The Lijadu Sisters and the power of copyright-backed reissues

Source: WIPO Magazine

Nigeria’s music history is rich in near-mythical artists such as William Onyeabor, Fela Kuti and his cousins, the Lijadu Sisters. Identical twins Taiwo and Kehinde released their debut album in 1969 and were pioneers of Nigerian pop – or afropop, as we know it today – throughout the following decade. However, for much of their career they went without royalties and faced the unauthorized exploitation of their work.

Kehinde died in 2019 but Taiwo is keeping the Lijadu Sisters’ legacy alive by re-releasing their records for the first time in more than 10 years. The trailblazing duo’s five albums are being reissued on vinyl, CD and streaming platforms by the Numero Group, with the sisters properly credited for their contributions. The collaboration with the archival label not only sets the record straight but also offers lessons on how West African artists can secure their heritage through copyright-supported remastering.

The legacy and challenges of the Lijadu Sisters

The Lijadu Sisters came to fame in the 1970s with their unique fusion of Nigerian juju, traditional Yoruba music, funk, disco and afrobeat. Sometimes called afrofunk or afropop, it combines lush harmonies with socially conscious lyrics, which the Guardian described as where “warped pop met fierce politics”.

Although their music remains influential, the lack of formal royalty system in Nigeria meant that the sisters were not properly paid for their work. Many of their records were re-released without their consent, with royalties rarely ending up in their hands or with their estate – a common story in the male-dominated Nigerian afrobeat scene of the time. In the summer of 2024, thanks to a legal and ethical reissue campaign by the Numero Group, the story reached a turning point.

Horizon Unlimited reissue

In a press release announcing the campaign’s first reissue, the sisters’ 1979 album Horizon Unlimited, Taiwo said: “I think one of the most exciting things about the reintroduction of Horizon Unlimited is the fact that young folk love our music and are surprised at the upbeat tempo and the lyrics, which are not only of today but also very futuristic.” She added that, at the time, she and Kehinde paid for the studio and the band’s session fees – an unusual arrangement.

The arrangement with the Numero Group stands on safer footing. The archival record label and rights management firm, which has offices in Los Angeles, Chicago and London, specializes in reissues and keeping rare music alive for new generations of listeners. It purchased the full rights to the Lijadu Sisters catalogue before re-releasing their records to guarantee that royalties would be paid directly to the beneficiaries. The label also remastered the music to make it more appealing to modern audiences without compromising the essence of the original recordings.

The Numero Group called it an “expansive new partnership that is equal parts reissue and reparation”. A spokesperson for the label emphasized that it was “thrilled to introduce a new generation to the music of the Lijadu Sisters. Their story and influence deserve to be celebrated.”

Horizon Unlimited features the hit “Come on Home”, and the physical Numero Group reissue comes with the first-ever transcription of the lyrics in Yoruba and English, as well as corrected album credits.

The Lijadu Sisters’ LPs are coming on streaming platforms, and the Numero Group will announce the remaining physical editions over the coming years. It will also reissue rare recordings from the sisters throughout the campaign.

Lessons for Nigerian and West African Artists

The success of the reissue campaign by the Lijadu Sisters highlights significant lessons for Nigerian artists and music estates keen on preserving and reviving their work:

1. Register and monitor copyright: Nigerian musicians may register their compositions in the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), as well as outside the country for legal acknowledgment.

2. Request licensing agreements before reissues: Musicians need to obtain definite licensing conditions before issuing reissues to avert unauthorized utilization.

3. Use technology to trace royalties: Sophisticated technology such as blockchain and digital rights management (DRM) can track ownership and gain fair remunerations.

4. Collaborate with ethical labels: Working with established reissue labels and copyright specialists will help ensure that artists and estates receive fair payments for their craft.