Dapper Music Scandal: Artists Allege Forgery and N1.2 Billion Royalty Fraud

The Nigerian music industry is currently grappling with a significant controversy as prominent artists T.I Blaze and Shallipopi have publicly leveled serious accusations against music executive Damilola Akinwunmi, CEO of Dapper Music. The allegations primarily revolve around financial transparency, the management of artists' intellectual property, and alleged contractual malpractices, bringing the issue of artist-management accountability into sharp focus.

Nigerian singer T.I Blaze initiated the public discourse through a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Dapper Music of failing to provide a clear account for approximately N1.2 billion. This substantial sum is allegedly connected to royalties, music licensing, and artists’ intellectual property. T.I Blaze specifically questioned the management of music catalogues and the distribution of revenue generated from artists’ works. A key point of contention for him is the involvement of Virgin Music in the arrangements, particularly regarding how revenue shares are structured and who ultimately bears the cost of the company’s percentage. He directly challenged Dapper Music to explain how such a large amount could remain unaccounted for, stating, “How did Virgin Music get into a business where you’re supposed to take 30 percent and bounce, from whose cut is Virgin taking their bag? … how did 1.2 billion naira go unexplained. Dapper Music come and answer?”

Furthermore, T.I Blaze alleged that his intellectual property was licensed without any mutual agreement, describing this as a profound betrayal of the artists who contributed to generating the revenue. He asserted, “Who dey licenses another person intellectual property without mutual agreement? Dapper your cup don finally full.” The singer also claimed to have waited several months for an amicable resolution, alleging that he has been unable to release new music for seven months. With his contract reportedly expired, T.I Blaze questioned the handling of an alleged $185,000 amidst more than N1 billion in revenue, expressing a willingness to pay to secure the release of his own catalogue.

Adding another layer to the controversy, Nigerian singer Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi, presented equally severe accusations against Dapper Music and its CEO, Damilola Akinwunmi. In a detailed statement shared on his X page, Shallipopi claimed that in 2023, he had only signed a management deal with Dapper. However, he alleged that Akinwunmi forged his signature and applied it to a 10-year distribution contract, even though Shallipopi already used DistroKid for distribution. More critically, Shallipopi accused Dapper of forging his signature again to sell his music catalogue to the international label Virgin Music Group, subsequently pocketing all the earnings from this transaction. He stated that Dapper had kept all the money from his music sales, telling him to "work more, more and more that my money is in the future!" Shallipopi, asserting his determination despite his humble beginnings, declared his readiness to involve anti-graft agencies, such as the EFCC, and the media to expose Dapper’s alleged fraudulent dealings, calling on the government and people across Africa to take the matter seriously.

These allegations come amidst a broader, renewed scrutiny of Dapper Music’s relationships with various Nigerian artists. Both T.I Blaze and Shallipopi's public statements have contributed to a wider conversation regarding artist contracts, catalogue ownership, royalty payments, and financial transparency within the rapidly expanding Nigerian music industry. Former and current acts linked to the management company have become part of this ongoing debate. Shallipopi reportedly departed from his arrangement more than two years ago, while Seyi Vibez, another artist previously associated with Dapper Music, has also moved on, with recent reports citing him making harsh remarks about his former label boss. Other artists like TML Vibez and Rybeena remain linked to the company despite the escalating public discussion.

While Dapper Music is yet to officially address Shallipopi’s latest allegations, and the figures and contractual arrangements referenced by T.I Blaze have not been independently verified, the public outcry has undeniably placed Dapper Music and the broader issue of artist-management accountability squarely in the spotlight. The developments have reignited crucial questions about how music management companies handle artists' intellectual property, licensing agreements, royalty payments, and overall contractual obligations in Nigeria, underscoring the need for greater transparency and fairness in artist-label relationships.