The owner of the Instagram page Me and Somebody Son was candid in an Instagram post on Friday, accusing the production team behind Tiwa Savage and Brandy's "Somebody's Son" of only offering her $100 to create content for the song.
"I am currently not [affliated] to the song Tiwa Savage and Brandy made," the post read.
"In fact, I wasn't contacted until a video was about to premiere and offered $100 to create content and post about the song. I feel like that is a slap in the face after years of labor and asking for more on top of that," the post continued.
In an interview with Blavity, the creator said she quickly learned about the song and music video from followers of the page and friends, adding that she's certain the song was influenced by the Instagram account.
"I know the saying 'somebody son' has been out long before the page ever existed but I feel like I helped popularize it in the last three years," she said. "There's no way the song could not have been influenced by my page. I just do not believe that."
After responding to their initial message, the team extended a counteroffer of $500, which was also denied.
The owner of the page says as of Friday night, she had not heard back from the production team.
The page Me and Somebody Son was inspired by the Instagram account Me and Somebody Daughter, according to Essence.
"I have always been a hopeless romantic; I love the idea of love. So when I found a page for Black men expressing love, I was really excited about it, but I also found myself really yearning for a page that I can resonate with. A page that speaks to me personally and my perspective and my experiences," the owner said of the inspiration behind the page, BET reports.
Since its inception, the page has amassed 285,000 followers, all eager to engage with posts and memes that show off the beauty of Black love.
The page is currently being run anonymously, and it strives to post relatable content that uplifts and displays images that highlight real love. And according to the post on Friday, the message was far from the kind of content that is regularly shared.
"This isn't like me. You all know I keep the love and peace on this side, but I am tired at this point. I've ran this space for almost 3 years now. I pour my love, sweat, tears, and labor into this space. It is an honor to have made the phrase what it is and inspired so many people," the post read.
She added that she likely wouldn't have created the post if the team hadn't reached out and offered the insulting compensation, saying that "it felt so disrespectful."
"So now you're acknowledging it and lowballing me," she said, adding that she runs the page by herself.
Despite saying they are "a fan of both artists," the creator urged the musicians' teams to "rectify the situation."
She also revealed that this incident isn't an isolated case. She said artist Jade Novah made a song called "Somebody's Son," and never reached out.
The hit song by Savage and Brandy, which was released in August, embraces the journey of meeting "somebody's son" and finding true love, Blavity previously reported.
"Tired of getting it wrong. This won't be another heartbreak song," Savage sings in the song. "Worried, I'm not worried. No, I no look for embrace. Who wan settle for whatever and live your life forever displaced. My heart has been through much."
"Somebody's son 'gon find me one day," the Nigerian singer adds.
Shortly after the release of the song, the music video dropped with images of Black love.
Black creatives have doubled down on not properly being credited and compensated by larger platforms and brands for their work. Most recently, creatives on TikTok have called out their white counterparts for not properly crediting them for their choreography for viral dance challenges.
"This happens to the best of us but I also feel like it's discouraging," the owner said of the lack of recognition of Black creatives.
Despite the incident, the owner says she plans to continue creating content and inspiring people.
