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Seyi Vibez, Shallipopi Drag Music Exec Dapper Over Unpaid Royalties: What Really Happened
Grab your popcorn, because the Nigerian music scene just witnessed one of its messiest exposes yet. On Friday, August 14, 2026, singers Seyi Vibez, Shallipopi, and T.I. Blaze all called out music executive Dapper, known online as DapperDam, over money they claim he still owes them. AfrobeatsGlobal has been tracking every twist since the story broke, and here is everything you need to know.
How Seyi Vibez, Shallipopi And Dapper’s Feud Started
“Fuck Ripper Music… Who dey license another person’s intellectual property without mutual agreement? Dapper, your cup don finally full,” T.I Blaze said.
It started with T.I Blaze. He accused Dapper Music of licensing his intellectual property without his consent. He also claimed that about ₦1.2 billion in revenue had gone unexplained. Furthermore, he questioned how Virgin Music got involved in a deal where Dapper was only supposed to take a 30 percent cut.
The singer also alleged that the label’s activities had affected his music output, claiming that he had not released songs he recorded over the past seven months.
“The issue is, why did you give artistes a contract you can’t abide by. All the decisions that need two minds were made by Ripper Music. Imagine having separate secret emails for artistes and forging artiste signatures… Nah, jail you go end your life, Ripper Music.” T.I Blaze said
Shortly after T.I Blaze’s outburst, singer Seyi Vibes, who left the label two years ago, joined the conversation. Seyi Vibez claimed that he played a significant role in helping build Dapper’s career. He also alleged that the label owner used money generated from his success to fund the signing of other artistes.
“I am bigger than the whole Dapper and his entire generation. And my money was the money being used to sign all the artistes he signed since Chance Naham! Allah walai. I made Dapper,” Seyi vibes said.
Na Hilda Baci BBL all una catalogue money dey go. All of una dey craze and una mama. I chop Hilda Baci food one day. Na the same Dapper give me. The food almost kill me. Am bigger than the whole Dapper and his entire generation. And my money was the money being used to sign all the artiste he signed since Chance Naham! Allah walai. I made Dapper. Dapper won take all of them life. Oh boi. I pray say the people wey remain no go see chance commot.”
He alleged that money from his catalog was used to sign other artists under Dapper’s stable. He even dragged chef Hilda Baci into the mess, alleging catalogue money funded a cosmetic procedure of hers.
In 2023, I signed to Dapper Management only. He forged my signature and put it on a 10-year distribution contract even when I already use DistroKid. He also forged my signature and signed with an international label called Virgin Music Group. I might be from the trenches, but I’m not the dumb type; Dapper went ahead and collected money from Virgin Music Group, and he put all that money in his pocket and told me to work more, more and more, that my money is in the future!”
The singer vowed to pursue the matter and insisted that the dispute would not be allowed to fade away.
“For this case to die, make I just die bro,” Shallipopi noted.
Then Shallipopi entered the conversation. He claimed Dapper is holding more than one million dollars in royalties from his 46 songs. In addition, he alleged that Dapper forged his signature to insert new terms into their contract. He referenced an alleged EFCC case and called on the agency to investigate.
“I don tweet finish, Mr Damilola Akinwunmi, Aka dapper, let’s meet and get this over with. I’m tired of this online ranting when I have real-life evidence against u with the EFCC. I want us to finish this, make we forget to play smart bro; make we forget manipulation wey u dey do. My auditors have been on u; I want u in my face in real life broski. I want us to end this, leave your hiding spot, tell me in my face u didn’t rip my money.” Shallipopi said.
Dapper Responds to the Royalty Allegations
“I will not demean myself by disrespecting the one thing I stand on, which is my love for music. So I won’t stoop so low as to engage in insults,” Dapper said.
“I have nothing to hide. The records exist. The authorities have them. Let the process establish the truth”. Don’t come online and spill rubbish narratives & lies, only to mislead the public! You chose to leave! No one forced you, and we are still fine without you! Move on! Stop acting obsessed!!!!!”
“You chose to leave! No one forced you, and we are still fine without you! Move on! Stop acting obsessed!
“For the avoidance of doubt, this relationship began in 2021, and it began with me putting money down for your first project before getting any music from you.
“So who made who?
“God made me, nigga! Dapper Damm, Son of God!
“Mr. Elon! The jig is up!
“If e sure for any of you, make we go KPMG, PwC, Deloitte, Templers, Aluko & Oyebode, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie.
“Any top law firm and auditing firm. Let them run a forensic analysis and interpret both the accounts and the contract for us, and tell you I cheated you!”
“For our last scheduled appearance, you didn’t show up nigga. I was there, but you wanna come online and say, ‘let’s meet in court’, when you’re the one running from court,” he added.
“I have said what I need to say. The records are available. The appropriate processes are ongoing,” he wrote.
DapperDam eventually broke his silence over the weekend. He denied every allegation and insisted that records already exist with the relevant authorities. He challenged the artists to submit their contracts for an independent audit by firms like KPMG, PwC, and Deloitte. DapperDam challenged the artists to have the financial records and contracts independently reviewed by leading accounting and law firms, saying he was confident that a forensic analysis would prove he had not cheated them.
However, he also pushed back personally, telling the trio they chose to leave the label on their own. He disputed Shallipopi’s claim about a missed event too, insisting he was the one who showed up. DapperDam maintained that the relevant records were available and that the appropriate processes were already underway.
Why This AfrobeatsGlobal Story Matters
This dispute raises fresh questions about contracts, catalog ownership, and transparency across the Nigerian music industry. Consequently, many fans are now paying closer attention to how young artists are managed early in their careers. As of now, no independent audit has been confirmed, and the story continues to develop.
What do you think really happened between these artists and their former label? Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this post, and follow AfrobeatsGlobal for updates as this story unfolds. Check out our previous blog on Asake’s “M$NEY Live In London” Returns To No. 1 On Apple Music Nigeria.
