LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigerian singer Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi, has escalated his dispute with Dapper Music boss Damilola Akinwunmi, accusing the label of withholding royalties from 46 songs, selling his music catalogue, and failing to properly account for revenue from his music.
The singer made the allegations on X while speaking about his ongoing dispute with Dapper Music over royalties, music catalogues and the terms of their business relationship.
Shallipopi claimed the unpaid royalties include earnings from his hit song “E Don Cast”, questioning how the money generated from the songs was being handled.
“Dapper nor forget na my laho money Dey with me o, u Dey hold me 46 songs royalty income including my ‘E don cast’ money,” he wrote.
The singer also accused Dapper Music of taking the catalogues of several artistes to Virgin Music and receiving money from the deals without properly accounting for the proceeds.
Virgin Music is a global music distribution and artist services division owned by Universal Music Group.
In Nigeria, it is headed by executive Olukorede “Kay” Ikazoboh, and supports prominent local independent labels and artists like Dapper and Reekado Banks.
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The “Ex Convict” hitmaker said his own catalogue was allegedly sold without his proper consent.
He further disclosed that he was prepared to take the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“Dapper you Dey hold me money o, and u sell my catalog now u Dey act confuse, I go EFCC office i go write statement against u,” Shallipopi alleged.
He further accused the music executive of giving false information to the EFCC and insisted that he was not the only artiste who had allegedly been affected.
“And u go another EFCC office Dey lie for them, you forget say nor be only me u scam lol,” Shallipopi added.
The latest allegations add to Shallipopi’s previous claims about his departure from Dapper Music.
After leaving the label in December 2024, the singer reportedly revealed that Dapper attempted to make him sign a lifetime agreement that would give the company 30 percent of his music earnings indefinitely after he indicated that he wanted to leave.
Shallipopi has since involved lawyers in the dispute and reportedly alleged that Dapper still owes him money connected to 46 songs, with the amount said to run into as much as $1 million.
Interestingly, one of the songs at the centre of the dispute was “Laho.”
The singer reportedly kept the song away from Dapper while finalizing his exit from the company before releasing it independently.
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“Laho” subsequently became a major hit, gaining international attention and turning into one of Shallipopi’s biggest songs.
Shallipopi also accused Dapper of manipulating artistes and making decisions that could harm those who depend on him.
“Jude nor sabi work reach u and you know broski u be master manipulator, u Dey put juju for mouth Dey talk to trenches boys u know what you are senior man, you too pour us spit,” he wrote.
He continued by suggesting that things could have ended badly for him if he had not been careful during his time with the executive.
“Dapper if to say I nor guide na so u for end men, men mount sha,” Shallipopi added.
His allegations come amid a wider dispute involving Dapper Music, with artistes including Seyi Vibez and T.I Blaze also making separate claims about royalties, catalogues and financial dealings involving the music company.
