Entertainment
Nigerian Artistes Who Dumped Their Record Labels In 2016
Recent report has shown
a list of top Nigerian artistes who have had issues with their record labels and have in one way or another taken steps to exit the label. 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 record labels and their signed artistes. This clash which usually pits art against business had an unusually high occurrence of label splits, wrangles and lawsuits.
For many, everything goes smoothly and amicably. But for many others, it gets messy, involves the police and a huge number of collared executives working their way through legal papers, accusations, public posturing, sobtales, legal suits and court injunctions. Among these according to pulse are:
Skales (Baseline music)
The singer was signed in 2014 to Baseline Music, 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 Ecrimany Entertainment, in May, citing money problems, threat to life and gross disrespect from his label CEO, Prince Okwudili Umenyiora (a.k.a Dilly), the CEO of Dilly motors.
Lil Kesh
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 who is amicably moving out and setting up his imprint, YAGI, with the help of his ex-boss. He is still managed by YBNL.
Ice Prince
Although the rapper’s deal expired with chocolate city two 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
The singer was freed from her baseline music contract, due to creative difference. She has 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.
Debbie Rise
The former Nigeria Idol contestant acrimoniously split ways with her record label, 800 Records after they repudiated her deal with them, due to her request to see a record of the financial investment carried out in her career.
Milli
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
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
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 rumours of her setting up camp with singer Flavor, under his 2 nite entertainment.
Tonto Dikeh
Actress and singer Tonto Dikeh announced her departure from D’banj record label DB records, citing ‘business reasons’ as the cause, she has made no return to music since then.
Zeez (DJ Zeez)
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.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’