Street-pop singer, T.I Blaze has called out Dapper Music accusing him of failing to account for about ₦1.2 billion in royalties allegedly generated from his music.
The Nigerian music label, Dapper Music has come under renewed scrutiny following fresh allegations from artistes linked to the label over finances, catalogue ownership and the handling of artists’ earnings.
T.I Blaze claimed that his account was left with a negative balance of about $185,000 despite significant revenue from his catalogue.
He further alleged that his intellectual property was licensed without his agreement and demanded the return of his music catalogue. He also questioned the role of Virgin Music in the distribution of his works, alleging that the company received more than the 30 per cent cut he said had been agreed.
T.I Blaze wrote:
“Fuck Ripper music … Who dey licenses another person intellectual property without mutual agreement? Dapper your cup don finally full.”
The controversy has now attracted comments from singer Seyi_Vibez, who made a series of allegations against Dapper in posts on X.
In one of the posts, Seyi_Vibez claimed that money belonging to him was allegedly used to sign other artists to the label.
“am bigger than the whole Dapper and his entire generation. And my money was the money being used to sign all the artiste he signed since Chance,” he wrote.
In another post, he alleged that Dapper had treated artists unfairly, while expressing hope that other affected individuals would eventually get their opportunity.
The latest allegations come amid previous public disagreements involving Dapper Music and artists associated with the label, including Shallipopi and Muyeez, intensifying discussions about transparency in artist-label contracts and royalty arrangements in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding music industry.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
