The year 2016 has been a very busy one for Nigerian music. The industry has been plagued with a high occurrence of beefs, drama, and many more.
Top amongst these are the good old label struggles between records labels and their signed artistes. This clash which usually pits arts against business has had an unusually high occurrence of label splits, wrangles, and lawsuits,.
Naijaloaded, travels through the industry, and presents you with all the top artistes who have had issues with their record labels, and have in one way or another taken steps to exit the label.
For many, everything goes smoothly and amicably. But for many others, it gets mercy, involves the police and a huge number of collared executives working their way through, legal papers, accusations, public posturing, sob tales, legal suits and court injunctions.
Please find below.
Skales (Baseline Music)
The singer was signed in 2014 to Baseline Music, a record label that was managed by veterans Howie T and Dipo Abdul. According to sources, after a year of no investment, he moved on with his career. He is currently being detained by the police, and together with his manager, Osagie Osarenkhoe, they are being investigated for fraud by the label.
Runtown (Ericmany Entertainment)
The singer has terminated his deal with Ericmany Entertainment, in May, citing money problems, threat to life and gross disrespect from his label CEO, Prince Okwudili Umenyiora [aka Dilly], the C.E.O of Dilly Motors.
Lil Kesh (YBNL)
The rapper was freed from YBNL Records, after his two-year contract with the Olamide-led label ran out. There was no renewal nor extension, with Lil Kesh amicably moving out, and setting up his imprint, YAGI, with the help of his ex-boss. He is still managed by YBNL.
Ice Prince (Chocolate City Music)
Although the rapper’s deal expired with Chocolate City 2 years ago, he stayed affiliated to the label, and this year made it public that he had left. He has currently set up his personal imprint under the label, Super Cool Cats.
Saeon (Baseline Music)
The singer was freed from her Baseline Music contract, due to creative differences she had with the label, and their alleged lack of support for her artistic direction and progression. She is currently working on creating a new imprint and identity.
Milli (Chocolate City Music)
The rapper departed Chocolate City due to his unhappiness at being prevented from releasing music, and dropping his projects. He is currently on the verge of announcing a new record label, and movement named Up Next Universe.
Baci (Made Men Music Group)
Although verbal agreements formed the basis of the singer’s deal with the Ubi Franklin and Iyanya-led Made Men Music Group, the label failed to officially hand Baci a contract after he spent 6 years with them.
Chidinma (Capital Hill Records)
The singer’s deal with Capital Hill Records was not extended after it expired this year. Both parties chose to keep mute about the affair, but amicably parted ways. There are rumors of her setting up camp with singer Flavour, under his 2nite Entertainment.
Tonto Dikeh (DB Records)
Actress and singer Tonto Dikeh announced her departure from D’banj’s record labelm DB Records, citing ‘business reasons’, as the cause. She has made no return to music since then.
Zeez (DJ Zeez) (HF Music)
The singer was sued by his ex-label, HF Music, for breach of contract, owing to his alleged refusal to record new music. He lost the case, and was ordered by the court to pay damages to the label to the tune of N22 Million.
