Enjoy Enjaami’ credit controversy resurfaces as Santhosh Narayanan and Arivu exchange sharp words online
New Delhi: The long-running controversy over credits and royalties for the hit Tamil track “Enjoy Enjaami” has resurfaced, with music composer Santhosh Narayanan and rapper Arivu engaging in a fresh exchange of accusations on social media nearly four years after the issue first emerged.
The song, released during the COVID-19 lockdown, became a global sensation and one of the most popular independent Tamil tracks, but debates over authorship and recognition continue to divide fans and artists alike.
Social media post reignites old dispute
The latest dispute began when a social media user shared the song on platform X (formerly Twitter) and praised it for crossing cultural boundaries and gaining global popularity during the lockdown period.
Another user responded by alleging that singer Dhee and her father Santhosh Narayanan had “stolen” the song from rapper Arivu.
The allegation drew a strong reaction from Santhosh Narayanan, who quickly responded to defend both the song’s creative process and his daughter.
Santhosh Narayanan outlines the song’s creative process
Responding to the claim, the composer posted a detailed explanation about how the song was created.
“Take some rest younger brother. Some useful info already available everywhere if you only look for it,” he wrote.
According to Narayanan, the idea for the song originated with singer Dhee, while filmmaker Manikandan developed the storyline during the time he was working with the composer on the film Kadaisi Vivasayi.
Narayanan said he composed and produced the music and melodies, while Arivu contributed most of the lyrics and performed parts of the track.
He also mentioned that Arivu adapted traditional Oppari (Tamil folk lament) lines in the song.
Arivu presents his version of events
Narayanan’s explanation prompted rapper Arivu to respond publicly with his own account of the creative process.
Arivu stated that he wrote the lyrics, composed the main vocal melody, and performed the track after receiving the beat for the song.
“The beat was sent to me. I wrote the lyrics, composed the main vocal melody and performed the song based on my own cultural history and lived experience,” he said.
The rapper further claimed that although the song was built around stories and cultural elements from his village, he was credited only as a “featuring artist.”
He alleged that despite writing the entire song, he received no ownership rights or royalties from the track.
“This is not about sympathy. It is about credit, rights and dignity of labour,” Arivu wrote.
Heated exchange continues online
Santhosh Narayanan strongly rejected Arivu’s claims and challenged him to a public debate over the issue.
“You can have your own opinions. Pretty much every single one of your technical and legal claims are dishonest and delusional,” Narayanan wrote, inviting Arivu to present proof.
Arivu responded that he had previously attempted to resolve the matter privately but was unsuccessful.
“My statement on credit, ownership and compensation is already public. I tried multiple times to resolve this privately,” he said, adding that the issue should not be debated on social media.
Narayanan, however, countered the claim, stating that Arivu had never attempted to resolve the issue in the manner described.
Background of the controversy
The dispute over “Enjoy Enjaami” first gained national attention in 2022, when the song was performed at the Chess Olympiad opening ceremony in Chennai by singers Dhee and Kidakuzhi Mariyammal.
At the event, Santhosh Narayanan was credited for composing the track, but Arivu’s contribution was reportedly not mentioned, sparking criticism and debate within the music community.
Global success of ‘Enjoy Enjaami’
Released as part of a Tamil independent music project, “Enjoy Enjaami” became a massive global hit.
The track has accumulated:
- More than 521 million views on YouTube
- Over 5.1 million likes on the platform
Its fusion of folk themes with contemporary music helped the song resonate widely among young audiences and international listeners.
Our Final Thoughts
The renewed controversy around “Enjoy Enjaami” highlights ongoing debates in the music industry about creative ownership, recognition, and fair compensation. As independent music continues to gain global reach, the dispute also underscores the importance of clear agreements and transparency in collaborative projects.