Entertainment
Mohbad: Lawmaker vows to secure compensation, royalties for late singer
The House of Representatives assured on Wednesday that it would ensure the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, receives proper compensation and royalties for his music.
This assurance came following a motion of urgent public importance moved earlier by Rep Babajimi Benson (APC-Lagos) to secure the royalties of Mohbad’s songs.
Rep Olumide Osoba (APC-Ogun), Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, made this commitment during an interactive session on the rights and royalties related to Mohbad’s music.
Hon. Osoba emphasised the significance of securing compensation and royalties, acknowledging that these payments are essential sources of income for musicians.
He stated that such measures would enable artists to sustain their careers, create new music, and build a future within the industry.
He also pointed out that the current system often falls short in adequately protecting and providing for young musicians concerning their royalty rights.
Many emerging artists face challenges when negotiating fair royalty agreements, particularly when dealing with major record labels, which often wield significant power and can impose unfavourable terms, resulting in artists receiving only a fraction of the royalties they deserve.
“It is crucial to recognise that young musicians are often not well-informed about their rights when entering into contracts,” he said.
This knowledge gap places them at a disadvantage, as they may not fully grasp the complex legal intricacies surrounding royalty rights.
He further noted that the responsibility rests on society to bridge the knowledge gap and ensure that young musicians are aware of their rights while having access to legal support that safeguards their interests.
According to him, to address these issues, it is vital to work towards implementing stronger regulations and support systems within the industry.
This includes advocating for more transparent and standardised contracts for all artists, irrespective of their age or experience, to level the playing field and prevent the exploitation of young talent.
He emphasised that efforts should be made to provide accessible legal advice and assistance to young musicians through organisations, unions, or educational programmes.
Equipping them with the knowledge and resources needed to understand and negotiate contracts will empower them to protect their rights and secure fair compensation for their creative contributions.
“Additionally, there is a need to adapt the music industry to the digital age.
While digital streaming platforms have revolutionised music consumption and distribution, young musicians often struggle to earn a substantial income due to outdated royalty structures.”
“Advocating for revised royalty models that accurately reflect the value of music in the streaming era is essential,” he said.
The committee is committed to this responsibility, adding that they have requested relevant information regarding the circumstances of his death and the measures in place to secure his royalties and other benefits, with a deadline of next week to expedite their action on this assignment.
He mentioned that the committee also welcomes any other information or challenges hindering the implementation of the rights and royalties of musicians.
The committee will ensure that the rights of young musicians regarding royalties are of paramount importance.
He stressed that collective efforts should be made to guarantee that they receive fair compensation for their hard work and artistic contributions.
According to him, by promoting transparency, education, and change within the industry, a future can be created where young musicians have a fair chance to thrive and build sustainable careers.
It would be recalled that Mohbad passed away on September 12 under mysterious circumstances.
He said this underscored the urgency of addressing issues related to the rights and protection of royalties for young and upcoming artists in our country.
Entertainment
CKay concludes recording agreement with Warner Music South Africa, hints at new horizons
International Afrobeats star CKay has officially ended his recording agreement with Warner Music South Africa in a mutual and strategic decision, signaling a new chapter in his career
Renowned international Afrobeats artist CKay has officially concluded his recording agreement with Warner Music South Africa, marking the end of a significant chapter in his burgeoning career.
Also read: CKay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’ becomes highest RIAA certified Nigerian song
The artist, celebrated for his global chart-topping hits such as “Love Nwantiti,” “Emiliana,” and numerous others, confirmed that the decision to not renew his contract was a mutual and strategic one between him and the record label.
Speaking about this development, CKay expressed gratitude for his time with Warner Music South Africa while also expressing anticipation for future endeavors.
“Every journey has a beginning and an end, and my journey with Warner Music South Africa was a very important one which i’m grateful for. Now it’s time for me to explore new energy and new horizons,” the artist stated.
With an impressive track record boasting over 2 billion streams across various platforms and a reputation for propelling Afrobeats onto the global stage, CKay’s next career move is highly anticipated by fans and industry insiders alike.
Sources close to the artist suggest that a major announcement is imminent, and followers can expect a fresh wave of music and a new artistic direction in the coming weeks.
“Every journey has a beginning and an end, and my journey with Warner Music South Africa was a very important one which i’m grateful for. Now it’s time for me to explore new energy and new horizons,” said CKay.
In the previous year, CKay took a significant step in his career by launching his own record label, Boyfriend Music Limited. This venture was co-founded with his long-time friend and manager, Joseph Salubi, indicating a move towards greater creative control and ownership of his musical output.
CKay’s ascent to stardom began with the release of his groundbreaking hit song ‘Love Nwantiti’ in 2019. The track rapidly evolved into one of Afrobeats’ most successful exports, introducing Nigerian music to vast new audiences worldwide.
Following a surge in popularity on TikTok in 2021, the smash hit single achieved remarkable success, eventually being certified 8 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
‘Love Nwantiti,’ the lead track from CKay’s EP ‘CKay The First,’ continues to hold its record as the most certified Nigerian song in the United States.
Prior to his association with Warner Music South Africa, CKay was initially signed to Loopy Music, which later merged with Chocolate City in 2015.
Under the Chocolate City label, he released his second extended play, ‘CKay the First,’ which featured the global sensation ‘Love Nwantiti.’ In 2021, CKay clarified that he was signed to Warner Music South Africa, marking the beginning of the journey that has now come to a close.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido claims his 2012 hit song ‘Dami Duro’ was the ringtone of the then-President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, a fact revealed to him by a presidential source
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has made a surprising claim that his 2012 breakout hit single, ‘Dami Duro,’ served as the ringtone for the then-President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan.
Also read: Davido issued 21-Day ultimatum by US court in copyright infringement lawsuit
Davido revealed this intriguing detail during a recent interview with Power FM in the United States, where he opened up about the initial challenges he faced with his father, Deji Adeleke, who was not initially supportive of his decision to pursue a career in music.
According to Davido, his father’s resistance began to soften after the immense success of ‘Dami Duro,’ which even garnered presidential recognition. “My dad accepted my decision to do music after he heard my second single, ‘Dami Duro.’ The song blew up,” Davido explained.
He further elaborated on the extent of his father’s initial disapproval, stating, “Before then, my dad was using the police and army to stop my show and arrest show promoters, artistes, and everyone connected to any show I am billed to perform in.
But when ‘Dami Duro’ became a huge success… I think it was the President’s ringtone. Someone told me. At that point, people started advising my dad to allow me to do music,” Davido shared during the interview, which aired on April 8, 2025.
Davido also recounted how he eventually decided to honor his father’s wish for him to continue his education. He expressed that his relationship with his father has transformed significantly over the years, from a state of fear to one of close friendship and mutual respect.
“I went further and accepted to return to school. I said I didn’t have to run away, that I should have spoken to him. No way, I was younger then and he was unapproachable. I told him I was scared of him.
Then, I was a kid. Now, we are best friends, we talk about everything. He comes to all my shows. He is very involved in my business,” Davido stated, highlighting the positive evolution of his relationship with his father.
Afrobeat star Davido reveals he co-produced songs on his upcoming fifth album, ‘5ive’, recalling his production debut with his first single ‘Back When’
Popular Nigerian Afrobeat artist, Davido, has shared new details about his highly anticipated upcoming album, titled ‘5ive‘.
Also read: Album clash: Dammy Krane revives Davido feud with ‘5ive’ release
In a recent interview, the singer disclosed that he took on a co-production role for several tracks on the album.
Davido mentioned that this wasn’t his first foray into production, as he had previously produced his debut single, ‘Back when’. “With this album, I did a lot of co-production. We got back in that bag,” he stated.
The singer had previously discussed the meaning and significance of his forthcoming album during a livestream with alternative musician Cruel Santino.
He explained that the album’s title, ‘5ive’, simply signifies that it is his fifth studio album and does not carry any deeper symbolic meaning.
Ahead of the album’s scheduled release on April 18th, Davido recently treated fans to a performance of some songs from ‘5ive’ at a concert in France. The singer is also preparing for an upcoming live performance in London.
CKay concludes recording agreement with Warner Music South Africa, hints at new horizons
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