Rising Afrobeat artist Fido has publicly accused his former record label of shortchanging him on royalties from his breakout hit, Awolowo, revealing he received only ₦1.5 million from an alleged $20,000 deal.
In a candid social media video that has since gone viral, Fido detailed his experience with the label, alleging financial mismanagement and lack of transparency in how earnings from the hit song were handled. The artist claims the label received a $20,000 payment for the track’s licensing or streaming revenue but only disbursed ₦1.5 million to him a figure representing less than 10 percent of the total sum, when converted at current exchange rates.
“I got only ₦1.5 million from the whole deal,” Fido said. “This was a song that put us on the map. We worked day and night. I trusted them.”
Awolowo, which gained major traction across African streaming platforms and became a fixture in clubs and radio stations, was Fido’s breakthrough track. The song’s success brought him industry attention and performance bookings, but, according to Fido, it also became the start of a deteriorating relationship with the label that once managed him.
While Fido did not name the label directly in his video, insiders familiar with his career suggest tensions had been simmering for months over contract terms and revenue splits.
Industry analysts note that disputes over royalties, copyright, and digital distribution payments are common in Nigeria’s music scene, where informal agreements and lack of contractual clarity often leave artists vulnerable. Many emerging artists, eager for exposure, sign binding deals without legal representation or understanding the long-term implications.
Reacting to the situation, a music business consultant, Tola Adebayo, noted, “The industry needs to mature in how deals are structured. When artists begin to feel exploited by the very systems that launched them, we lose trust, creativity, and fairness. Transparency in revenue sharing is non-negotiable in a professional music economy.”
As of press time, the accused label has not issued a formal response to Fido’s claims. However, the conversation around artist label dynamics has once again taken center stage, with fellow artists and fans calling for more accountability in the management of music revenues.
Fido, now working as an independent artist, says he hopes his story will inspire others to speak out. “This is not just about me. It’s about every young artist who doesn’t know what’s going on behind closed doors,” he said.
With streaming revenues becoming a major income source in Nigeria’s growing music industry, the issue of fair compensation is no longer a backroom conversation. For artists like Fido, it is now a public fight and a cautionary tale for those hoping to turn talent into fortune.
source: lifestyle.thecable.ng