Samoan Band Tiama’a fights to retain original works lost to AI

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 25 August 2026 – A YouTuber has responded to Tiama’a’s official statement calling for an end to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to remake, recreate or release the band’s original music without permission.

Tiama’a said it is actively working to remove unauthorized AI-generated versions of its music from digital platforms.

The band stressed that its songs carry Samoan language, stories, history and cultural legacy. However, Tiama’a said many AI-generated versions do not correctly pronounce the Samoan language.

The issue arose after Tiama’a contacted a YouTuber about an AI-generated remake of one of the band’s original songs, “Atulaolao le Vasa.”

Tiama’a asked the YouTuber to remove the song from the channel.

The YouTuber refused, saying there was nothing wrong with using AI to remake the song.

In a post, the YouTuber said Tiama’a had previously taken the song down from YouTube, prompting him to file a counterclaim.

He said YouTube then gave Tiama’a three weeks to respond.

“After 3 weeks Tiama’a did not respond, YouTube reinstated the song on my channel,” he stated.

Tiama’a Band Founder Leatiogie Fafo Afualo in a duo with and daughter in a video clip of Tiama’a Next Generation version of Aso Leaga.

In an interview in June when the band featured during the 64 Independence concert, Tiama’a Band founder, Leatiogie Fafo Afualo stressed the importance of copyright and following the rules and laws governing music copyrights.

He also advised the younger generation to stay away from using AI to create music and encouraged them to compose and perform their own songs using their God given natural talents instead of giving their work to AI.

He warned that allowing AI to create their music could result in the technology receiving credit rather than the young composers themselves.

Originally from Toamua village, Leatiogie founded Tiamaa Band in the 1970s with his brothers and relatives and composed and recorded songs that have become anthems such as “Samoa Matalasi” “Sosefina” “Pule Aoao le Atua” and recently re-recorded some of his more popular works such as “Aso Leaga” featuring his daughter who he said have been passed the talent as he now focuses on Gods work as a church pastor.

The Band has taken a conscious move to claim its original works and re-recording the songs accompanied by videos and a more aggressive marketing and protection of the works.

While Leatiogie he focused on a ministerial mission based in Wellington, his songs have been re-recorded by major artists such as the Five Sars, Jerome Grey, the late Fiji and overseas based Samoans, but he was never properly acknowledged as the writer and still not properly rewarded financially for his work.