Afrobeats artiste Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi, officially announced his departure from Dapper Music and Dvpper Digital, citing a breach of trust and exploitation.
In a heartfelt statement shared on social media, the artiste revealed that the decision was not taken lightly but was necessary to preserve his integrity and career.
Shallipopi, known for his distinctive style that blends Afrobeat with trap and rap, has been with Dapper Music, a management company, for several years.
The partnership has seen him rise to prominence with hits like ‘Ex Convict’ and ‘Shallipopi Season’.
Despite his success, Shallipopi claims his relationship with the label took a turn for the worse due to financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency.
The artiste detailed several grievances in his statement, including a conflict of interest that saw his management company, Dapper Music, also pushing him into a deal with Dvpper Digital, a distribution company under the same ownership.
This arrangement allegedly led to a significant financial mess, with advances issued under Shallipopi’s name being mishandled without his knowledge or consent.
The debt, according to Shallipopi, continues to grow and has yet to be fully accounted for.
Furthermore, Shallipopi expressed frustration over the lack of transparency in his finances. Despite his repeated requests for financial records, he claimed that his inquiries were ignored, leaving him in the dark about his earnings.
Perhaps most concerning, Shallipopi revealed that the contract offered to him by Dapper Music included a clause that would allow the label to continue taking 30% of his earnings indefinitely, even after their professional relationship ended. The artist described this as a form of exploitation and stated unequivocally, “This is bigger than just me… it’s about standing up for fairness, integrity, and the respect that we all deserve”.
In his statement, the ‘Pluto Presido’ assured his fans that his commitment to creating music would remain unwavering and promised to keep his supporters updated as he moves forward.
He also urged the public not to engage with Dapper Music or Dvpper Digital on his behalf, as they no longer represent him.
