JAYNE AUGOYE writes that hip hop star D’Banj may again have joined Nigerian artistes calling it quits with their record labels
THE status of the celebrated union between Kokomaster D’banj and Kanye West is unclear now, if emerging feelers are anything to go by.
While D’banj has yet to make any formal announcement in this regard, it has been observed that he recently quietly adjusted his Twitter biography to read DB Records/ DKM Media / Koko Holdings – with no mention of West’s label.
Prior to this time, his profile on the micro-blogging site simply read, “DB/Good Music/ IDJ.”
When Dbanj struck the deal with Kanye West in 2011, the move was speculated as one of the reasons behind the breakup with his erstwhile partner, Don Jazzy, and eventually, Mo’Hits Records.
While the success or otherwise of D’banj’s alliance with the American superstar is somewhat debatable, it did bear a fruit, at least in terms of two international singles. Well, many would say both songs are not very successful when compared to his string of home-grown hits.
More so, Dbanj, was the least visible artiste (he played a minor role in the video) on West’s G.O.O.D Cruel Summer album.
But if a split with West turns out to be true, D’banj is not alone in this regard. This is because many record labels have lost some of their ‘prized possessions’ in recent times.
A recent example is Tillaman’s exit from his label, Euphoric Heritage Records. In a statement, the artiste, who is a son of the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, said he parted ways with the label amicably as it was bereft of dispute or conflict.
He joins the growing number of singers who are refusing to stick with the labels which, in many cases, made them in the first place.
After losing its star artiste, Wizkid, to the trappings of fame, another loss befell Banky W’s EME Records last week, with the exit of its star attraction, Skales. Although the label was said to have decided not to extend their initial three-year contract with the rapper upon expiration, it appears as if he too is not keen on keeping the marriage. Indeed, in a rather funny twist, the young rapper is said to have pitched his tent with Timaya’s Dem Mama Soldiers.
Around the same time, Timaya’s newest and highly celebrated music protégée, Patoranking, also called it quits with him. The vibrant singer now romances a new label, FOSTON MUSIK, which was behind his latest single titled Girlie O‘, released earlier in the month.
He also flaunted his latest acquisition – a 2014 Range Rover SUV, on Instagram and moved into an apartment at the Metro Garden in Lekki, said to be a gift from his new label.
Wande Coal’s disengagement from Marvin Records, on the other hand, came as a rude shock in November 2013. The messy separation saw the dark-skinned singer claim that he was never signed onto the Don Jazzy-led label in the first place. Marvins also hit back at him, revealing that he left the label due to irreconcilable differences. It alleged that the chubby singer failed to ‘align’ with the company’s vision.
Months earlier, former Chocolate City artiste, Jesse Jagz, had shocked some fans when he categorically stated that he was taking a ‘voluntary exit’ from his label Chocolate City, via his Facebook account. On the move, Jagz told SATURDAY PUNCH, “Chocolate City is not my company. I had put in so much work in my new album and felt it was time for me to do things for myself.
“It was not a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was something I had thought about over time. The reason why I probably did not tell anybody was because sometimes, your family might be more concerned about you taking business risks.”
Of course, there is a lingering battle between Brymo and his estranged label, Chocolate City, after its last court hearing was adjourned till January 14.
Despite facing legal and contractual issues with the label, the chap who many may describe as a ‘wordsmith’ went ahead to release his new album. Meanwhile, even as Chocolate City insists that he still has three years and two albums to deliver, that’s what his contract says.
It is also a familiar tune for singer-songwriter, Harrysong, as his former label, QuestionMark Entertainment, has filed a N20m suit against him and his new ‘home’, Five Star Music, for breach of contract.
The suit accuses the singer of signing a contract with Kcee’s Five Star Music without terminating his contract with QuestionMark Entertainment.
Although artistes abruptly terminate their dealings with their labels in various climes, the scenario is a unique one in Nigeria. The reasons often bother around more money, promotion, creative control, attention, as well as sharing formula
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