Nigerian singer Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi, has accused his former record label boss, Damilola Akinwunmi, of allegedly forging his signature and transferring his music catalogue to an international company without his consent.
Shallipopi made the allegations in a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, amid an escalating dispute between the singer and the music executive.
According to the singer, his agreement with Dapper in 2023 was limited to management services.
He alleged, however, that Dapper subsequently used a forged signature to create what he described as a 10-year distribution agreement, despite his music already being distributed through DistroKid.
Shallipopi further claimed that his signature was allegedly forged again in connection with an agreement involving Virgin Music Group, an international music company.
The singer alleged that Dapper received money from the deal but did not remit the proceeds to him.
He claimed the executive instead encouraged him to continue releasing music and told him that the financial benefits would come in the future.
“I might be from the trenches but I’m not the dumb type,” Shallipopi said, alleging that money received from Virgin Music Group was kept by Dapper while he was instructed to continue working.
The singer also called on Nigerian authorities and the media to pay attention to the allegations.
He specifically appealed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the government to investigate what he described as fraudulent dealings.
“I want the EFCC and the entire government, the entire media and everyone in Africa as a whole take this matter very serious,” he said.
The allegations come amid a wider public dispute involving Dapper and several Nigerian artistes over contracts, payments and business dealings.
Dapper has previously denied allegations made against him and maintained that relevant contracts and financial records could establish the facts. He has also challenged the artistes involved to subject their agreements and accounts to independent audits.
Dapper Music had not publicly responded to Shallipopi’s latest allegations at the time of this report.
The claims remain allegations, and no independent finding establishing the alleged forgery or unauthorised sale of Shallipopi’s catalogue has been presented in the information available.
