The Nigerian music industry is one of the most vibrant and successful in the world. However, it is also an industry that has been plagued by controversies, including disputes between artists and record labels.
Many Nigerian artists have had issues with their record labels over a variety of issues, including creative control, royalties, and promotion. Some of these disputes have been resolved, while others are still ongoing.
In this article, we will list the top 10 Nigerian artists who have had issues with their record labels. We will also discuss the specific issues that each artist faced and the outcome of their dispute.
This article is important because it highlights the challenges that Nigerian artists face when working with record labels. It also shows the importance of artists being aware of their rights, and of having a lawyer represent their interests when signing contracts.
10. Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage left her label, MavinRecords,s in 2019 after a public disagreement with the label’s CEO, Don Jazzy. The specific reasons for the disagreement are not clear, but it is believed that it stemmed from creative differences and Savage’s desire to have more control over her career.
Savage had been with Mavin Records since 2012, and during her time there she became one of the most successful female musicians in Nigeria. She released two studio albums with the label, “Once Upon a Time” (2013) and “R.E.D.” (2015), both of which were commercial and critical successes. She also won numerous awards, including Best Female Artist at the MTV Africa Music Awards in 2013 and 2014.
In May 2019, Savage announced that she had left Mavin Records and signed a new deal with Universal Music Group. She released her third studio album, “Celia,” in August 2020, to critical acclaim.
Don Jazzy has spoken positively about Savage since she left Mavin Records, and he has said that he is proud of her success. He has also said that the label is still open to working with her in the future. However, Savage has not returned to Mavin Records, and she has continued to be successful on her own.
9. Brymo
Brymo’s split from Chocolate City in 2013 was a big deal in his music journey. There was a big argument between him and the record label. This argument started right after he released his first album with them, “Son of A Carpenter.” Brymo said the label didn’t promote his album enough. In return, Chocolate City said Brymo broke a contract that said he had to make three albums with them between 2011 and 2016.
Things got even worse when Chocolate City took Brymo to court, saying he didn’t follow his contract. This disagreement didn’t just affect Brymo’s music career; it also showed other artists how important it is to have clear contracts and follow them. Brymo’s story is a good example of what can happen if you don’t play by the rules in the Nigerian music industry.
8. Skales
Skales, no stranger to record label conflicts, found himself embroiled in a tumultuous battle with Baseline Records in 2016. After leaving E.M.E. Records in 2014, he signed a lucrative deal with Baseline Records valued at over N200 million.
However, the harmony quickly soured. In May 2016, Skales and his manager, Osagie, were arrested and detained in connection with allegations of fraud. Baseline Records accused Osagie of committing fraud against the company, with a substantial sum of approximately N13,374,000 involved.
Osagie vehemently denied the allegations, asserting her innocence and maintaining that she had conducted herself honestly in her dealings with the label. The legal dispute shed light on the complexities of artist-label relationships and the challenges artists may face when navigating the music industry’s business aspects.
7. Runtown
Runtown, known for his hit song “Gallardo,” featuring Davido, quickly rose to fame, amassing 418,000 views on Vevo in just two months. Impressed, Ericmany Records signed him in 2014. However, in May 2016, Runtown decided to part ways with the label.
This decision led to a legal battle, with Ericmany accusing Runtown of signing deals and performing without their consent. In response, Runtown cited money issues, threats to his safety, and a lack of respect from Ericmany’s CEO, Prince Okwudili Umenyiora (Dilly).
6. Cynthia Morgan
Cynthia Morgan’s clash with Jude Okoye, owner of Northside Entertainment Inc., is a notable case of an artist facing difficulties with their record label. In 2013, Cynthia signed a recording contract with Northside Entertainment, and shortly after, she achieved chart-topping success with singles like “Don’t Break My Heart” and “Lead Me On,” earning a nomination for “Best Reggae/Dancehall Single” at The 2014 Headies.
However, her career took a downturn as she went into isolation, only resurfacing in 2020 with shocking revelations. During an Instagram live session, Cynthia claimed that Jude Okoye had stripped her of her assets and even her name due to an unfavorable contract. She further alleged that Okoye owed her a significant amount of money. In his defense, Okoye released a copy of their contract, leading to public scrutiny of Cynthia’s claims.
5. Ycee
Ycee’s disagreement with Tinny Entertainment primarily revolved around contract terms and royalty payments. He felt that the label was not fulfilling its obligations as per the agreement, particularly regarding financial transparency and the fair distribution of royalties from his music. This dispute strained the relationship between Ycee and the label, leading to a breakdown in trust.
In the end, Ycee decided to part ways with Tinny Entertainment to protect his artistic integrity and financial interests. He founded his label, ANBT (Ain’t Nobody Badder Than), which allowed him greater control over his music and career decisions. This move not only demonstrated his determination but also positioned him as an independent artist with the freedom to explore his creative potential. Ycee’s decision to establish ANBT had a significant impact on his career. While it involved some risks, it provided him with artistic autonomy and the opportunity to release music on his terms.
4. Vector
The Vector-YSG feud commenced in 2013 after a seemingly harmonious four-year partnership. Initially, Vector proudly endorsed his record label, YSG, in his songs.
Trouble brewed when Vector voiced dissatisfaction with the label’s sluggish career development approach and lackadaisical attitude. He proposed hiring more seasoned professionals, but his suggestions were rebuffed. In response, Vector began personally employing individuals and footing their bills.
Tensions reached their zenith when Vector independently traveled to the United States. Upon his return, his label boss accused him of going to America to sign a record deal, a claim Vector vehemently denied. This led to a summons from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to the Area-E Command.
With his father, a retired police officer, intervening, the matter was resolved amicably. However, feeling unsafe, Vector relinquished the car and apartment provided by YSG and carried on with his life. Later, he was arrested at a music video shoot but was released upon legal intervention.
YSG filed an injunction against Vector, prohibiting him from recording or releasing music. After a nine-month hiatus, they reached an out-of-court settlement, with Vector purchasing his contract at a reduced rate. He then publicly apologized to the label for the discord. This ordeal significantly impacted Vector’s career, but he eventually managed to extricate himself from the situation after a few years.
3. Asa
Asa’s conflict with Kevin Luciano, CEO of Question Mark Records, reached a point where she felt imprisoned in her career. In 2002, after an unsuccessful Star Quest appearance, she collaborated with Cobhams Asuquo, Question Mark’s in-house producer, on her breakout single, “Eye Adaba.” This marked the beginning of her career and boosted the label’s reputation.
However, their partnership soured in 2006 when Asa left the label, citing safety threats and unauthorized international deal negotiations. Question Mark claimed contractual obligations and ownership of her work, releasing her songs as “The Captivator” album. Asa moved to France, signing a lucrative deal with Naïve and releasing her debut album in 2007. The feud continued, leading to legal action in 2012 and Asa branding Question Mark “criminals” on Twitter after the release of “Down on Me,” ultimately stalling album promotions.
2. Kizz Daniel
Kizz Daniel, a Nigerian music sensation, found himself in a dispute with his former record label, G-Worldwide, in 2017. This clash stemmed from Kizz Daniel allegedly breaching the terms of his 7-year contract, which he had signed back in 2013. Although the contract was meant to run until 2020, Kizz Daniel decided to part ways with the label without fulfilling the agreement’s terms, which had imposed restrictions on his collaborations with other artists.
The legal battle resulted in an injunction that prevented Kizz Daniel from performing during the festive December 2017 period. He even had to change his stage name from ‘Kiss’ to ‘Kizz,’ despite having released a critically acclaimed and commercially successful debut album, “New Era,” under the former name while signed to G-Worldwide.
Kizz Daniel went on to establish his record label, Flyboy Entertainment, and resumed releasing music, including his sophomore album, “No Bad Songz.” Despite the progress he made, G-Worldwide continued to pursue legal action, filing an N500 million lawsuit against him, and the issue went on for a while.
1. MohBad
MohBad, the late Nigerian singer-songwriter and rapper hailing from Lagos, grew his fanbase through the online sharing of freestyle videos. In 2019, he inked a record deal.
He had been signed to Marlian Records, which was owned by Azeez Fashola (Naira Marley) in 2019. However, in 2022, he departed from the label, citing various grievances such as unpaid royalties and organized attacks.
Mohbad’s departure from Marlian Records garnered substantial attention, raising concerns about the treatment of artists within Nigerian record labels. Many artists have stepped forward to condemn exploitative practices, including unjust contracts, unpaid royalties, and even physical violence.
Mohbad’s situation is particularly distressing, as he alleged physical assault by individuals associated with Naira Marley. He shared evidence of his injuries on social media. While Naira Marley denied these accusations, Mohbad’s story resonated with fellow artists and fans, highlighting the urgent need for better protection and regulations for artists in the Nigerian music industry.
Following his departure from Marlian Records, Mohbad embarked on an independent journey. He released several new songs, and music videos, and extensively toured, leaving behind a lasting impact on the Nigerian music scene. However, he didn’t do much before he died.
Conclusion
These artists’ struggles with their record labels show us that the music world isn’t all glitz and glamour. It’s like a rollercoaster ride with ups and downs. These stories teach us that even in the cool world of music, there can be real-world problems. So, whether you’re a music lover or just curious, there’s a lot more to the industry than what meets the eye.
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