Rapper Shallipopi has parted ways with Dapper Music, citing breach of trust and lack of transparency, ending their nearly three-year partnership.
Hitmaking rapper Shallipopi has revealed his departure from prominent record label Dapper Music, with whom he had been signed since rising to fame in 2022.
On December 11, 2024, Shallipopi shared a public statement via Instagram, disclosing that his decision to leave was driven by a breach of trust and lack of transparency.
In his announcement, Shallipopi characterized the decision as the toughest he has ever made, framing it also as a stand for all creatives who pour their hearts into their work.
“I come to you today with a heavy heart but an unshakable determination. I’m Crown Uzama, your Shallipopi, and l’ve made one of the toughest decisions of my career. Today, I’m officially ending my agreements with Dapper Music and Dupper Digital. This wasn’t a choice I made lightly, but it’s a step I had to take after my trust was broken, my finances mishandled, and my rights as an artist were disregarded.
This is bigger than just me. It’s about every artist and creator who pours their soul into their work, only to face betrayal and exploitation from people who should be looking out for them. It’s about standing up for fairness, integrity, and the respect that we all deserve.”
Shallipopi alleged a conflict of interest by Dapper Music, stating the label had him sign a publishing deal with Dvpper Digital, a subsidiary company of Dapper Music.
“Dapper Music and Entertainment Limited, my management company, pushed me into a deal with Dupper Digital Limited, another company owned by the same person(s). Instead of prioritizing my growth, they prioritized their own profits, putting my career and dreams at risk.”
Shallipopi also accused the label of lacking transparency regarding the utilization and remittance of his earnings.
The chart-topping artist claimed that his attempts to obtain an accurate account of his financial situation were unsuccessful.
“I’ve worked hard, and like anyone, I deserve to know where my money is going. Despite repeated requests, I was denied access to clear financial records of my money. Imagine not knowing how much you’ve earned or where it’s gone. This is devastating and unacceptable.”
Shallipopi made a scathing allegation, claiming Dapper Music tried to tie him to a “forever contract” that would grant the label 30% of his earnings indefinitely.
“They tried to lock me into a contract where they’d take 30% of my earnings forever, even after we parted ways. Even after they no longer work for me, they want to continue to take a whole 30% of my earnings in perpetuity. That’s not just unfair, it’s exploitation and it is cruel.”
Recall that Seyi Vibe took to his social media page on Sunday, 15th of September, 2024, to update his bio announcing his split with Dapper Music label.