Nigerian record label, TunesBid Limited, has taken legal action against fast-rising singer Ayo Maff, accusing him of breaching the terms of their recording contract.
In a strongly worded statement posted on the label’s official Instagram page, TunesBid claimed that Ayo Maff, whose real name is Ayodele Maff, and his management team have repeatedly violated the terms of an exclusive agreement signed in December 2023.
According to the label, the contract was entered into on December 3, 2023, after what it described as “a series of discussions” between both parties. The deal was facilitated by the artist’s legal representatives Oyefeso Oluwamayowa Olumide, Okolie Amobi Chiedu, and Oyefeso Ayotunde, who acted on behalf of OceansTreasure Limited.
TunesBid stated that it invested significantly in Ayo Maff’s music career, fully funding the production and release of his three singles: Street Anthem, Dealer, and 7 Days. The label also revealed that it secured a distribution deal with Empire Distribution, a notable international music distributor, as part of its commitment to promoting the artist’s work.
Despite fulfilling its part of the agreement, the label claimed that the artist and his management team had begun entering into outside deals, ignoring the existing contract and attempting to cut TunesBid out of their plans.
“The contract clearly outlined the expectations and obligations from both sides, including the release of three singles within the first seven months,” the statement read. “All costs associated with the recording, production, promotion, and distribution of these songs were covered by TunesBid.”
Ayo Maff accused of conspiracy
TunesBid further accused Ayo Maff’s camp of acting in bad faith and conspiring to defraud the label by secretly entering into another contract, which violates the exclusivity clause of their agreement.
“This ongoing disregard for the contract amounts to a clear breach,” the label stated. “We view this as a calculated attempt to cheat TunesBid out of the investment we made in the artist’s career.”
In response to the alleged breach, the label has issued a stern warning to event organizers, show promoters, and entertainment platforms, advising them to refrain from engaging with Ayo Maff without first obtaining proper clearance from TunesBid. Failure to do so, it warned, may result in legal consequences.
“We are actively pursuing legal remedies to protect our rights and investments,” the statement continued. “Any person or organization that chooses to work with Ayo Maff while this matter is unresolved will be considered complicit in the ongoing breach and may be subject to legal action.”
The label emphasised that as of the time of the statement, Ayo Maff remains legally bound by the recording contract and any attempt to operate independently would be considered a violation.
The legal clash between the label and the singer comes at a time when Ayo Maff is gaining traction in the Nigerian music industry, with fans praising his street-style lyrics and catchy beats. His latest single, 7 Days, has been receiving airplay across multiple platforms.
However, with this legal cloud hanging over his career, industry watchers are now waiting to see how the situation unfolds.
Neither Ayo Maff nor his management team has publicly responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
This dispute adds to the growing list of contract-related battles in the Nigerian music scene, highlighting the tension between artists seeking independence and the record labels that help launch their careers.
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