Seven Nigerian Artists Who Had Issues with Record Labels

Adedamola Ogunbewon 

September 30, 2023

The music industry is a tough nut to crack, and a lot of artists struggle to navigate without the help of record labels.

However, there has been a few instances in Nigeria of record labels fallout with artistes due to contractual issues, artiste brand etc.

Here are seven musicians who have had issue with their labels:

1. Wizkid:

Before launching his Starboy label, Wizkid was under Banky W’s EME Records.

He fell out with them because of the unfavorable split he was given on his contract – where he was reportedly getting 25% of his turnover.

This was at a time when Wizkid was the major artist on the label and one of the biggest acts in the country.

He asked for a review of the contract, but an agreement wasn’t reached, and as a result, he left. This later led to an online spat.

2.  Cynthia Morgan:

Cynthia Morgan secured a recording contract with Jude Okoye’s Northside Entertainment Inc. in 2013.

After a few months, she released two chart-topping songs, “Don’t Break My Heart” and “Lead Me On,” which were well appreciated by fans; the latter was nominated for “Best Reggae/Dancehall Single” at The 2014 Headies.

Cynthia went into seclusion after recording a few popular songs until 2020, when she resurfaced to social media and trended highly after saying that Jude Okoye, the owner of record label Northside Entertainment, stole everything she owned away from her.

The singer revealed this during an Instagram live session in which she lamented the loss of her name and Instagram account owing to a terrible deal.

3. Kizz Daniel:

Kizz Daniel, a Nigerian musician, burst onto the music scene in 2014 with his popular song “Woju”; he was signed to G-Worldwide Label at the time.

Kizz Daniel had a falling out with his record label in 2017.

The musician was allegedly in breach of the conditions of his seven-year contract, which he signed in 2013.

The deal was due to expire in 2020, however Kizz Daniel opted to leave the label before it expired. Several constraints were imposed on the singer’s ability to cooperate with other artists.

An injunction preventing him from performing over the holiday season of 2017 was issued as a result of the disagreement.

4. Temmie Ovwasa:

Singer Temmie Ovwasa, has once again made some allegations against her former record label boss, Olamide, claiming that he ‘messed her mind up’.

During a question and answer session via her Instagram handle, the singer was asked by a fan if she still keeps in touch with the YBNL boss.

In response to the question, the young lady alleged that although Olamide gave a platform, he rejected all the deals and show that she was offered. Ovwasa also alleged that her former boss stopped her from releasing songs.

She claimed, “That man brought me to Lagos from Ilorin as an 18-year-old, put me on a platform then proceeded to reject every show I got, every offer I got. Stopped me from releasing songs, kept me in his house with his wife (who spoke to me like I was garbage in front of her friends) and kid in the name of ‘family’. Put my face on the wall, on an album where the ‘men’ were allowed to be people.

5. Runtown:

In 2014, Runtown signed a record deal with Eric Many Entertainment, which is controlled by Prince Okwudili Umenyiora, the millionaire CEO of Dilly Motors.

After a few hits, their relationship soured, and matters intensified when his label accused him of signing up for and attending events behind his firm’s back – a breach of contract.

After determining that the situation was unfavorable, Runtown attempted to cancel his contract in May 2016.

He claimed that he never got compensation for live concerts, recorded royalty revenue (MTN Music Plus, caller ring back tracks), and so on. The musician further claimed that the label threatened him with death.

6. Brymo:

Brymo and Chocolate City record label were at odds over allegations of contract violation.

The singer left the record label in 2013, shortly after his debut album, Son of a Carpenter, was released. He further accused the firm of neglecting to promote the record and of ignoring him.

The record label then stated that the singer had violated a five-year contract that required him to release three albums between 2011 and 2016.

7. May D:

May D took to social media after leaving Square Records in 2012, claiming he lived under unbearable conditions while signed with the P Square brothers.

He painted a grim picture of shared living quarters, using a television carton as a makeshift bed and covering himself with his shirt.

Jude Okoye defended their stance, explaining that they signed artists to give back to society but encountered issues when May D wanted to become a part of Psquare, a brand that had taken years to build.