Popular French record producer DJ Snake and audio streaming company Spotify have faced flak in India for failing to give proper credits to Indian Dalit (people belonging to the lowest strata of the country's traditional caste system) artist Arivu. The Tamil language song - "Enjoy Enjaami", sung by Arivu and Dhee - was remixed by DJ snake for "Spotify Singles".
The song became the first-ever Tamil Independent music to be showcased on the Times Square Billboard. However, people were quick to point out that Arivu was missing from the billboard. The remix song does not feature the parts sung by Arivu either.
Dalit activists on Twitter alleged that it was "appropriation" of the song to suppress lower-caste voices. The poster of the remixed song on Spotify features DJ Snake and Dhee, sidelining Arivu.
Dalit activist Dilip Mandal took to Twitter to criticise it.
— Dilip Mandal (@Profdilipmandal) June 26, 2021
The song is about the history of labourers who have been exploited while working at the tea estates of Sri Lanka. The song was written by Arivu, narrating the story of his grandmother who worked as a bonded labourer at Sri Lankan tea estates.
— Sankul Sonawane🇩🇰❤ (@Sankul333) June 26, 2021
The makers of the song had also faced criticism during the release of the original track for putting a Brahmin (upper caste) woman - Dhee - at the helm of the song.
— Agatha Srishtie 🌸 (@SrishtyRanjan) June 21, 2021
