If you thought plagiarism was just a school drama, think again! British singer Adele is at the center of a global controversy over her song Million Years Ago from her smash-hit album 25, released in 2015.
The drama stems from a lawsuit filed by Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes, who claims Adele’s melancholic ballad is a direct copy of his samba classic Mulheres. The case, filed in a Rio de Janeiro court, has taken a dramatic turn as a Brazilian judge recently issued a worldwide ban on the song’s reproduction—a ruling that could shake the music industry to its core.
What’s Happening to Adele’s Song?
The court has ordered international music giants like Sony Music and Universal Music to halt the distribution, editing, and commercial use of Million Years Ago. Failure to comply could result in fines exceeding $8,000. Even more shocking, the lawsuit demands the track be removed from all streaming platforms, radio stations, and other global distribution channels. This means Million Years Ago could completely vanish from Spotify, Apple Music, and your favorite playlists.
Toninho Geraes claims that Adele’s song borrows heavily from Mulheres without authorization or proper credit. As compensation, he’s demanding damages of 1 million Brazilian reais (around $165,000).
Not the First Time on the Same Accusation
This isn’t the first plagiarism claim against Million Years Ago. Adele’s track has faced similar accusations in Turkey, where critics pointed out uncanny similarities to Acilara Tutunmak, a song by Kurdish artist Ahmet Kaya.
The fate of Adele’s Million Years Ago now hangs in the balance, leaving fans and industry insiders wondering: will this iconic ballad be erased from music history? Stay tuned for updates on this legal battle that’s making waves across the globe.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Nayely Aguilera in Cultura Colectiva.
