“I Can’t Fight For Myself” – Shallipopi Speaks On Legal Battle With Dapper

Nigerian singer Shallipopi has addressed his dispute with his former manager and record label boss, Damilola Akinwumi, better known as Dapper.

The controversy began in August when Shallipopi, TI Blaze and Seyi Vibez, all former artistes signed to Dapper, publicly raised concerns about their dealings with the music executive.

They accused him of violating their contracts and engaging in financial misconduct.

Shallipopi specifically claimed that Dapper failed to properly account for his royalties and allegedly sold his music catalogue without giving him a clear financial breakdown.

However, the singer said on Monday that he had decided to remain silent after receiving advice from his lawyers and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is investigating the matter.

In a statement shared on his social media pages, Shallipopi said he continues to believe in the claims he made but will no longer discuss them publicly while the investigation is underway.

He said the dispute is particularly important to him because it concerns much of what he has worked for since he was a teenager.

According to him, his legal team advised him that allowing the investigation to run its course is the best way to ensure that justice is served.

He said he therefore would not use his music, interviews or social media platforms to continue addressing the allegations.

Shallipopi admitted that staying silent has been difficult, especially because he feels unable to defend himself publicly as he normally would.

“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 for justice to be served, I need to step back and trust the legal process,” the statement reads.

“I have been told that rushed justice can lead to injustice. Every claim I have brought against my former manager, Damilola Akinwumi (Dapper Music and Entertainment Limited), must be thoroughly investigated. Because of this, I cannot fight for myself using my music or my words.

“I cannot sing about it, talk about it, or share it on any media platform for now. While I stand firmly by the truth of my claims, I now understand why I cannot comment publicly on matters under active investigation, nor use my artistic expression to address them as I did a few weeks ago.

“I will trust the investigation process and the law. Everything I have worked for since my teenage years is tied to this. I remain hopeful that justice will prevail. I simply cannot be Shallipopi for myself. It’s depressing.”

Dapper, meanwhile, has rejected the allegations and denied any wrongdoing in his dealings with Shallipopi and his other former artistes.

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