Tag: Dapper

  • Dapper challenges Shallipopi, T.I Blaze, Seyi Vibez to independent audit

    Dapper challenges Shallipopi, T.I Blaze, Seyi Vibez to independent audit

    Dapper Music founder Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi has responded to recent allegations from former signees Shallipopi, T.I Blaze and Seyi Vibez, challenging them to submit their disputes to an independent forensic audit.

    In a series of posts on X on Saturday, August 15, Dapper rejected allegations of financial and contractual wrongdoing and said the records needed to establish what happened are available.

    “I have nothing to hide. The records exist. The authorities have them. Let the process establish the truth,” he wrote.

    Dapper also accused his former artists of taking their grievances to social media while disputing his account of their departures.

    “Don’t come online and spill rubbish narratives, & lies, only to mislead the public!” he wrote in another post, adding that the artists “chose to leave” and should “move on.”

    He appeared to direct a separate series of posts at Shallipopi, whom he addressed as “Mr. Elon”, referencing the artist’s 2023 hit “Elon Musk.”

    Dapper claimed that Shallipopi failed to attend a previously scheduled appearance while he was present, questioning the artist’s calls for the matter to be addressed in court.

    He also challenged what he described as conflicting claims about their contractual relationship.

    “You claim here that I forged your signature, but in your public statement in 2024, you claimed that you were pushed into a deal with Dapper Digital. Which is it???” he wrote.

    Shallipopi ended his agreements with Dapper Music and Dvpper Digital in December 2024, alleging a breach of trust, financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency. Among his claims was that Dapper Music had pushed him into a publishing arrangement with Dvpper Digital, which he said was owned by the same person or persons behind Dapper Music.

    Dapper is now asking the parties to move the dispute away from social media and into an independent examination of the relevant financial records and contracts.

    He said an audit had already been conducted by what he described as a reputable company and suggested commissioning another review if there were still questions over the accounts.

    “We already did an audit from a reputable company! Surprise Surprise who owes who?” he wrote.

    Dapper then named several accounting and legal firms, including KPMG, PwC, Deloitte, Templers, Aluko & Oyebode, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, and Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, suggesting that any of them could be engaged to conduct a forensic review.

    “Let them run a forensic analysis and interpret both the accounts and the contract for us, and tell you I cheated you?!” he wrote.

    His comments come as disputes between Dapper and several former artists have resurfaced, with allegations involving contractual terms, financial dealings and the handling of artists’ catalogues. Dapper has consistently disputed claims of wrongdoing and previously maintained that its artist agreements were entered into with transparency and legal representation available to the artists.

    The latest exchange leaves the central financial and contractual questions unresolved, but Dapper’s proposed audit could provide an independent way of examining the competing claims if the parties agree to one.

  • Seyi Vibez calls out Hilda Baci amid ongoing dispute with Dapper Music

    Seyi Vibez calls out Hilda Baci amid ongoing dispute with Dapper Music

    Seyi Vibez has called out chef Hilda Baci in a series of posts on X as his dispute with his former label boss Dapper Music continues.

    Seyi Vibez and Dapper Music parted ways in September 2024 after the singer had been signed to the label. Hilda Baci has been in a long-term relationship with Dapper.

    In one of his posts, Seyi Vibez alleged that Hilda Baci’s BBL was funded with income generated from the catalogues of artists signed to Dapper Music. He did not provide evidence for the allegation.

    In another post, the singer alleged that he nearly died after eating food prepared by Hilda Baci. He also did not provide evidence to support the claim.

    https://x.com/afrobeatshead/status/2088256454532706456?s=46

    The posts came on the same day that T.I Blaze, another artist signed to Dapper Music, publicly accused the label of licensing his intellectual property without his agreement. T.I Blaze did not provide further details about the alleged licensing arrangement in the post.

    The separate allegations have added to the ongoing public criticism surrounding Dapper Music and its dealings with artists on its roster.

  • T.I Blaze calls out Dapper music over alleged licensing and revenue issues

    T.I Blaze calls out Dapper music over alleged licensing and revenue issues

    T.I Blaze has publicly called out Dapper Music, accusing the label of licensing his intellectual property without his agreement and questioning how revenue from his music has been handled.

    In a post shared on X on August 14, the singer asked how Dapper Music could license another person’s intellectual property “without mutual agreement,” adding that the label had “finally” filled its cup.

    In another post, T.I Blaze questioned the involvement of Virgin Music in the business relationship, referring to an alleged 30 percent share and asking whose portion Virgin was receiving. He also questioned how ₦1.2 billion in revenue had gone “unexplained” and called on Dapper Music to provide answers.

    T.I Blaze also revealed that his contract with the label had expired. He said he had waited seven months without releasing new music and claimed that Dapper Music had asked him for $185,000 after generating more than ₦1 billion in revenue. He rejected the demand and said he would instead pay for his catalogue to be returned.

    https://x.com/afrobeatshead/status/2088213592810074224?s=46

    The posts come amid renewed scrutiny of Dapper Music’s relationships with artists signed to the label, with Seyi Vibez also publicly criticizing his former label boss earlier in the day. T.I Blaze remains signed to Dapper Music.