Afrobeats singer and songwriter, Daniel Anidugbe, better known by his stage name, Kizz Daniel, has successfully regained ownership of the master recordings for his debut album, New Era and two hit singles, Yeba and Sofa.
The announcement, which came through his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, marks a significant milestone in the singer’s career.
A long-awaited victory for Kizz Daniel
In a heartfelt message to his fans, Kizz Daniel expressed deep gratitude and excitement over the achievement. “From long nights in the studio to several meditations, finally, I now own every song on the New Era album (2016) + Yeba & Sofa (singles). I got my master’s back. This means more than words can explain. Thank you for riding with me,” he wrote.
The statement was met with widespread support from fans and fellow artists, many of whom praised him for taking control of his creative work and career.
What it means to own masters
In the music industry, owning master recordings gives artists full rights to their original music. This means they can control how their songs are used, licensed, and monetised. For many musicians, regaining control of their masters is a sign of independence and long-term financial security.
For Kizz Daniel, the recovery of his masters represents more than just a business move. It is also a personal victory, especially given the challenges he faced in his early career.
The journey from “New Era” to now
Kizz Daniel released his debut album, New Era, on May 14, 2016, under G-Worldwide Entertainment. The album was a major success, featuring chart-topping hits like Woju, Laye, and Mama. It helped establish him as one of the leading voices in the Afrobeats scene.
However, despite the album’s success, the relationship between Kizz Daniel and G-Worldwide soon turned sour. In November 2017, the artist announced his exit from the label and went on to launch his imprint, Flyboy I.N.C.
Shortly after his departure, G-Worldwide filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of breaching his contract. The legal battle between the parties was widely publicised. But in the end, the court ruled in favour of Kizz Daniel, clearing him of all allegations.
A surprising reconciliation
In a twist that surprised many industry observers, Kizz Daniel revealed in 2023 that he had appointed his former label boss, Emperor Geezy, as the new Chief Executive Officer of Flyboy I.N.C. The move sparked conversations about growth, maturity, and forgiveness in the entertainment world.
Fans applauded the gesture, noting that it showed a willingness to move past old disputes and focus on the future.
Looking ahead
Now that he has full control of his early music catalogue, Kizz Daniel is in a stronger position to manage his legacy and revenue streams. With Afrobeats continuing to gain global recognition, owning master rights could open more doors for international licensing, film soundtracks, and brand partnerships.
In the years since launching Flyboy I.N.C., Kizz Daniel has remained a major force in the music scene. He has released several successful albums and singles, including Buga, Cough (Odo), and Twe Twe, which have earned millions of streams and topped music charts across Africa and beyond.
A message to artists
Kizz Daniel’s journey is a reminder to young and upcoming artists about the importance of understanding contracts and retaining control over their work. His story reflects a broader movement within the music industry, where more artists are fighting to reclaim ownership and secure their creative rights.
As he celebrates this new chapter, Kizz Daniel remains grateful to his fans and supporters who stood by him through the ups and downs. His message is clear: patience, persistence, and belief in oneself can lead to victory, even after a long battle.
With his masters back in hand, Kizz Daniel is not just rewriting his story, he’s reclaiming it.
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