Nigerian music label Dapper Music and Entertainment, led by Damilola Akinwunmi, has denied allegations made by two of its former signees, who recently announced their decision to terminate their contracts with the company.
In statements shared on social media on Wednesday, Crown Uzama (aka Shallipopi) and Moshood Abdulmuiz (aka Muyeez) accused Dapper Music of mismanagement, exploitation, and a lack of transparency in their agreements.
In response, Dapper Music & Entertainment issued a statement on Instagram on Thursday, defending its business practices and describing the allegations as baseless. The company reiterated that the contracts signed by Shallipopi and Muyeez were clear, fair, and mutually agreed upon.
The statement partially read, “At Dapper Music & Entertainment, we prioritize transparency and fairness in all our operations.
“Every contract we present is clear and thorough, ensuring that both parties fully understand and agree to the terms. We also ensure that our artists have the opportunity for legal representation.”
It further stated that all parties, including the artists, “freely agreed to a 30% management commission,” which the company explained reflects the significant investment needed to launch and sustain their careers.
The company also refuted the allegations of a “forever deal” with Shallipopi, asserting that the terms of his contract were renegotiated in October 2024.
The statement read, “We do not have any agreements with Mr. Crown Uzama that tie the artist’s future earnings to our business indefinitely.
“Our contracts are strictly related to recordings and opportunities provided by our team within the contract’s term, which is standard practice in the recording industry.
“Following the success of Mr. Crown Uzama’s first album, he had the opportunity to review and renegotiate the terms with full legal representation.
“On October 28, 2024, we amended the terms to grant him the freedom to explore new opportunities. Confident in our partnership, he and his representative willingly signed a second agreement. This was a mutual decision, not one of coercion.”
The company also expressed surprise at Shallipopi’s “false claims,” emphasizing that they had been fully cooperating with the auditors he engaged.
In response to Muyeez’s allegation that he was a minor when he signed his contract, Dapper Music stated, “It is entirely false that Moshood Abdulmuiz, aka Muyeez, signed a contract with us as a minor.”
The company clarified that the artist’s guardian and father, Moshood Basheer, signed the contract on his behalf, with witnesses present during the signing.
Dapper Music expressed disappointment that, despite its significant investment in the careers of its artists, it was now facing accusations of mismanagement.
The company described the allegations as “premeditated, false, calculated, and sponsored attacks” orchestrated by “proxies” in response to its growing success.
It further stated that any claims of mismanagement or career disruption were “baseless and difficult to substantiate.”
In conclusion, Dapper Music emphasized that any disputes should be resolved through legal channels rather than in the court of public opinion.
“We have a legal system and legally binding agreements that protect both parties and are still in effect. We are confident that we have conducted our business with the highest integrity and are prepared to seek redress in a court of competent jurisdiction.
“Therefore, all matters moving forward should be addressed in court or through the dispute resolution process and decided fairly. They should not be tried in the court of public opinion, nor should any ineffective unilateral statements or unsubstantiated allegations about the agreements made,” the statement concluded.
