Adele has an impressive catalog, but there’s one song fans are going to have to stop listening to for the time being. News broke this week that her 2015 song, “Million Years Ago” has been ordered to be removed globally from all radio and streaming services due to an ongoing plagiarism case.
Brazilian composer Toninho Geraes brought the case forward against Adele in 2021, alleging she plagiarized the music of his 1995 samba classic “Mulheres (Women)” recorded by Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila. He is reportedly suing for lost royalties, $160,000 in moral damages, plus songwriting credit on her song, according to multiple outlets like The Guardian,
Brazilian judge Victor Torres ordered a preliminary injunction ordering Sony and Universal to stop “immediately and globally, from using, reproducing, editing, distributing or commercializing the song Million Years Ago, by any modality, means, physical or digital support, streaming or sharing platform.”
The renowned Brazilian composer has over 250 recorded songs, many of which are considered samba classics. His work has been performed by legendary artists like Zeca Pagodinho, Simone, and Emílio Santiago, earning him a reputation as a sought-after and influential songwriter among samba’s biggest stars.
He reacted to the news on Instagram writing, “Another chapter in this important court battle. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m still standing firm, with hope and believing in the strength of samba and in justice. The samba is still going strong!”
His lawyer, Fredimio Trotta, said the decision was a warning to those looking to plagiarize Brazilian music. “International producers and artists who have Brazilian music ‘on their radar’ for possible parasitic use will think twice, given this decision.” Trotta also told Sky News, “The decision interrupts this harmful, criminal act, and now time is running out against those being prosecuted. Because interrupted plagiarism is plagiarism that doesn’t make a profit.”
As noted by The Guardian, this is not the first time “Million Years Ago” has faced accusations of plagiarism. In 2015, fans in Turkey accused the song of bearing similarities to “Acilara Tutunmak,” a 1985 track by Kurdish singer Ahmet Kaya. However, no formal legal action was taken in that instance.
© Denise Truscello