Why T.I Blaze, Seyi Vibez and Shallipopi are calling out Dapper Music

As I dug into the latest controversy in Nigeria's music industry, I couldn't help but think of a scene from a popular Nollywood movie where an artist is forced to sell his own music rights for a fraction of its worth. The story of T.I Blaze, Seyi Vibez, and Shallipopi, all former artists under Dapper Music, is one that has left many questioning the contracts, royalties, and financial transparency of Nigerian music labels.

T.I Blaze, a young and talented artist, was one of the first to speak out against Dapper Music and its founder, Damilola "Dapper" Akinwunmi. On August 14, 2026, T.I Blaze took to social media to accuse Dapper Music of failing to account for revenue generated from his music, amounting to around ₦1.2 billion. He also claimed that his contract with Dapper had expired, and that he had waited approximately seven months for the matter to be resolved privately. The young artist further demanded the release of his catalogue, stating that he was willing to settle an outstanding $185,000 balance.

Seyi Vibez was quick to join the conversation, making his own allegations against Dapper Music. The artist, who had previously worked with Dapper, claimed that money generated from his success was used to sign other artistes, and that Dapper had significantly benefited from his career. Seyi Vibez also warned other artistes still associated with the label to be cautious, suggesting that they could eventually encounter similar problems.

Shallipopi, another major former Dapper Music act, also accused the label of withholding money owed to him. The singer claimed that Dapper had sold or transferred his catalogue without properly accounting to him, and that royalties from 46 songs remained outstanding. He also threatened to report the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Shallipopi further alleged that his catalogue, along with those of other artistes, had been transferred to Virgin Music, and questioned how the resulting revenue was handled.

As I dug deeper into the allegations made by T.I Blaze, Seyi Vibez, and Shallipopi, I couldn't help but wonder if this was a case of a few bad apples or a systemic problem within the music industry. Nigeria's music industry is plagued by corruption, and it's clear that the contracts and royalty systems in place are flawed. The fact that these three artists have come forward with similar allegations suggests that there may be a pattern of misconduct within Dapper Music.

The artists involved have made it clear that they want answers and justice. T.I Blaze has demanded the release of his catalogue, while Seyi Vibez has called on other artistes to be cautious and question their contracts. Shallipopi has threatened to take his case to the EFCC, seeking justice and compensation for the alleged mistreatment.

As the industry grapples with these allegations, it's clear that there's a need for reform. The contracts and royalty systems in place need to be re-examined to ensure that artists are fairly compensated for their work. The fact that three artists have come forward with similar allegations suggests that there's a systemic problem that needs to be addressed.

The Nigerian music industry is at a crossroads, and it's up to the authorities, the labels, and the artists themselves to ensure that justice is served and that the rights of musicians are protected.The last we heard from T.I Blaze, he had started the process of releasing his music on his own platforms, signaling a move towards a more independent career. The future of his music, and that of Seyi Vibez and Shallipopi, remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the music industry in Nigeria has a lot to learn from this drama.