T.I Blaze, Seyi Vibez, and Shallipopi Unite Against Former Label Dapper Music Over Alleged Financial Misconduct

A storm is brewing in the Nigerian music industry as three heavyweight Afrobeats artists have come forward with serious accusations against their former label home. T.I Blaze, Seyi Vibez, and Shallipopi—all once signed to Dapper Music—are now publicly demanding answers from label founder Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi over what they claim are massive financial irregularities, unpaid royalties, and unauthorized catalogue transfers. The controversy has reignited urgent conversations about artist rights, contract transparency, and the often murky business practices within Nigeria’s booming music scene.

The drama exploded into public view on August 14, 2026, when T.I Blaze took to social media with explosive allegations. The artist claimed that approximately ₦1.2 billion in revenue generated from his music had vanished without proper accounting, and questioned how Virgin Music became entangled in his business relationship with Dapper. According to T.I Blaze, his contract had already expired, yet he’d spent seven months attempting to resolve the matter privately before going public. He’s now demanding the immediate release of his catalogue, offering to settle what he says is an outstanding $185,000 balance. His call for transparency quickly drew support from fellow Dapper alumni, transforming a solo grievance into a collective outcry.

Seyi Vibez wasted no time adding his voice to the growing chorus of complaints. The “Billion Dollar Baby” crooner alleged that profits from his own success were used to bankroll other artists’ signings, essentially claiming Dapper built an empire off his back without fair compensation. His warning to current Dapper artists was clear: learn from our experience before it’s too late. Then Shallipopi entered the fray with perhaps the most damning allegations yet—claiming Dapper withheld royalties from 46 songs and sold or transferred his catalogue to Virgin Music without proper accounting. The artist even threatened to involve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), raising the stakes considerably. This isn’t Shallipopi’s first rodeo with Dapper either; he dramatically exited the label back in December 2024, alleging broken trust and claims that advances were secured against his name without his knowledge, with the label allegedly seeking 30% of his earnings even post-separation. He’s since launched his own imprint, Plutomania Records. As of August 15, 2026, Dapper Music and Damilola Akinwunmi have remained silent on these mounting allegations.

The unified front presented by these three major artists signals a potential turning point for how business is conducted in Afrobeats, with emerging talents watching closely to see how this battle unfolds.

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