Thomas Mapfumo urges fans to ‘freely grab’ pirated copies of his new album

Chimurenga Music King, Thomas Mapfumo has urged the public to grab copies of his latest album, Dangerzone, as he takes a personal war against piracy.

Mapfumo said, “We already pulled off the streets the real music from all the formal outlets in Zimbabwe. That means any Danger Zone music CDs that are still out there on the streets are pirated music that is in violation of copyright laws.

“The public is hereby encouraged to freely grab any Danger Zone music for free from the streets because it is stolen property. The public can freely do so without consequence  because the music pirates have also become a law unto themselves.”

The call to grab music copies in the streets comes in the wake of unabated piracy that has characterised Zimbabwe with law enforcers allowing the lucrative business to go on.

Zimbabwean musicians have for long suffered because they do not enjoy the fruits of their labour. Pirated music, movies and films litter Harare streets and being sold for a paltry $0.50 a copy.

Various attempts have been made by artists to stop the sale of pirated music but government has not been supportive in as far as enforcing private property rights laws.

Zimbabwe based Mapfumo’ spokesperson Blessing Vava confirmed that Mapfumo has urged people to grab all pirated copies of his latest album.

“Yes if people see any pirated copies of Dangerzone they should just grab,” Vava said.

“Please go out there on the streets and help yourself to my Danger Zone music. It is now for free. Those who are selling have stolen from me and they have no right to claim ownership for they do not have the private property rights,” said Mapfumo.