Nigerian Musicians Who Fell Out With Their Record Labels

In the Nigerian music industry, several talented artistes have faced challenges and conflicts with their record labels, leading to public breakups and sometimes dramatic exits. While some have moved on to establish their own labels or pursue independent careers, others have been vocal about the mistreatment they faced during their time with these labels.

From issues over contract terms to control over their careers, these musicians have experienced it all. Here are the stories of eight Nigerian artists who have had their own struggles with their record labels.

Cynthia Morgan:
Cynthia Morgan signed with Jude Okoye’s Northside Entertainment in 2013, achieving success with hits like “Don’t Break My Heart” and “Lead Me On.” However, her career took a turn for the worse after a dispute with the label. In 2020, Morgan went public, claiming that Okoye had stolen her name, Instagram account, and other assets due to a bad contract. She accused the label of exploiting her, which led to a long period of seclusion before she resurfaced online, detailing her struggles with the label and its impact on her career.

Kizz Daniel:
Kizz Daniel’s rise to fame began with his hit song “Woju” while signed to G-Worldwide. However, his relationship with the label soured in 2017 due to several issues, including restrictions on collaborating with other artists. Kizz Daniel’s seven-year contract was set to expire in 2020, but he chose to leave earlier. The label took legal action, issuing an injunction that prevented him from performing during the holiday season of 2017. His exit was a result of not being able to renegotiate terms, and he eventually went on to establish his own label, Flyboy Inc.

Wizkid:
Wizkid, one of Nigeria’s most famous musicians, began his career under Banky W’s EME Records. However, his time with the label ended after a falling out over his contract. He was reportedly dissatisfied with the terms, which gave him only 25% of his earnings. Despite being the major artist on the label and one of the biggest names in the Nigerian music scene at the time, Wizkid struggled to renegotiate the deal. When an agreement couldn’t be reached, he left EME and went on to establish his own label, Starboy. This led to a public disagreement between him and Banky W, further fueling the tension between them.

Temmie Ovwasa:
Temmie Ovwasa, another artist under Olamide’s YBNL, also had a troubled relationship with her record label boss. She publicly accused Olamide of mismanaging her career, stating that he rejected all the offers she received and prevented her from releasing music. She claimed that Olamide brought her to Lagos, gave her a platform, but then hindered her career growth. Ovwasa even alleged that Olamide kept her isolated, living in his house where she was mistreated by his wife. Her grievances were shared on social media, causing a stir and adding to the controversy surrounding YBNL.

Runtown:
Runtown signed with Eric Many Entertainment in 2014 and released several hits under the label. However, his relationship with the label deteriorated after he accused them of not paying him for live performances, recorded royalties, and other revenues. Runtown claimed that the label threatened him with death after he sought to cancel his contract in 2016. The legal battle between Runtown and his former label escalated when he was accused of performing at events without the label’s consent, a breach of contract. Eventually, Runtown left the label and continued his career independently.

Brymo:
Brymo, after his debut album “Son of a Carpenter” was released by Chocolate City in 2013, became embroiled in a dispute with the label over contract violations. He accused the label of neglecting his career, failing to promote his album properly, and not fulfilling the terms of their contract. Brymo left the label, claiming that they had not honored the agreement to release three albums by 2016. This legal dispute marked a significant point in his career, as he took control of his music and continued to release successful projects independently.

May D:
May D’s exit from Square Records in 2012 was one of the most controversial in the Nigerian music industry. He took to social media to share his grievances, claiming that he lived under poor conditions while signed to the label. May D revealed that he had to sleep in a shared living space, using a television carton as a makeshift bed. He accused the Okoye brothers, who owned Square Records, of exploiting him. Jude Okoye, in response, explained that they signed artists to help give back to society, but they encountered issues when May D sought to align himself with the successful P-Square brand, which had been years in the making.

Asake:
Asake, the fast-rising Nigerian musician, recently made headlines for reportedly parting ways with the YBNL record label. Following rumors of a falling out, Asake confirmed the split by removing YBNL from his Instagram bio and unfollowing Olamide, the label’s boss, on social media. The speculation suggests that Asake’s contract with YBNL expired, and despite Olamide offering a new deal, he chose to pursue an independent career. His decision marks a significant turning point in his career as he moves forward with his own brand and creative direction.

These eight Nigerian musicians, each with their own unique story, highlight the challenges that artists face when navigating the complex world of record labels.

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