Nigerian singer Shallipopi has announced that he will no longer speak publicly about his ongoing dispute with his former manager and record label owner, Damilola Akinwumi, widely known as Dapper.Shallipopi disclosed this decision in a statement posted on his social media pages, indicating that he would refrain from further public commentary while the matter progresses through the appropriate legal and investigative channels.The announcement comes several weeks after Shallipopi, along with former Dapper Music signees T.I Blaze and Seyi Vibez, accused the music executive of breaching their contractual agreements, mishandling finances and failing to provide sufficient transparency regarding their professional and financial affairs.
Shallipopi specifically alleged that Dapper withheld royalties connected to 46 songs and used the singer’s signature on a 10-year distribution agreement covering his music catalog and involving Virgin Music Group. The allegations raised questions about the management of the singer’s recordings, the terms of the distribution arrangement and the handling of revenue generated by his work.Dapper has rejected the accusations. He said he had not sold any of the artists’ catalogs to a distributor or third party and challenged the musicians to present their contracts and financial records for independent forensic audits.
Such audits would allow the relevant documents and transactions to be examined by an impartial party.In his latest statement, Shallipopi said that both his legal team and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had advised him to let the investigation and legal proceedings run their course. He emphasized that the decision was not a retreat from his position but a recognition that the matter should now be addressed through formal processes.
“We have fought for everything we own as if our lives depended on it, and because of that, my siblings trust my direction and my voice. Right now, however, I am in a position where I cannot fight in the way I am used to.”
My legal team and the EFCC have advised me that, if justice is to be served properly, I must step back, exercise patience, and place my trust in the legal process,” the statement reads.“I have been reminded that when justice is rushed, it can ultimately produce injustice. Every allegation I have made against my former manager, Damilola Akinwumi (Dapper Music and Entertainment Limited), must be examined carefully and investigated thoroughly by the appropriate authorities. For that reason, I cannot continue to defend myself in the way I normally would—through my music, my words, or my public voice.
“For now, I cannot sing about the matter, discuss it publicly, or address it on any media platform. Although I continue to stand firmly by the truth of my claims, I now understand why I must not comment publicly on issues that are still under active investigation. I also cannot use my artistic expression to respond to them as I did a few weeks ago.“I will trust the investigation process and the law to establish the facts.
Everything I have worked for since my teenage years is connected to this matter, which makes the situation deeply personal and significant to me. Even so, I remain hopeful that justice will prevail. For now, I simply cannot be Shallipopi for myself. It’s depressing.”Shallipopi clarified that his decision to remain silent should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of his allegations. He reiterated that he continues to stand by the claims he made, while recognizing that the relevant authorities must be given the opportunity to investigate them fully and determine the facts.
The dispute has renewed public attention on the contractual relationships between Nigerian artistes and record labels, including questions about royalty payments, artists’ rights, and ownership of music catalogs.Dapper, meanwhile, has continued to reject allegations of wrongdoing in his dealings with Shallipopi and his other former signees. He has maintained that the relevant contracts, payment records and other existing documentation, together with an independent audit, should help establish the facts of the dispute and clarify the parties’ respective claims.
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