Spyro: Ubi Franklin scammed me $5k using Davido’s name

Nigerian singer Spyro has accused popular music executive Ubi Franklin of scamming him out of $5,000 after he was coerced into performing at a Ghanaian event.

In an interview on the Echoroom podcast, Spyro shared a detailed account of the incident, which occurred during a birthday celebration in Ghana.

The artist claimed Franklin used a deceptive promise of payment to coerce him into performing at the event, which was supposedly requested by superstar Davido.

Deception at the airport

According to Spyro, Franklin contacted him early in the morning, asking him to attend Iyanya’s birthday celebration in Ghana.

The singer agreed, trusting Franklin’s reputation. However, upon arriving at the airport, Franklin mentioned there would be performances at the party.

Spyro declined, emphasizing that he never performs without his management’s involvement. “Thankfully, I had Swavey with me,” he said, noting that he stood firm despite Franklin’s attempts to persuade him otherwise.

A Misleading promise from Davido

The situation escalated when the group arrived in Ghana. Spyro revealed that Franklin falsely claimed Davido had specifically requested his performance.

The singer, who was in the middle of promoting his song Stand By You, found the mention of Davido persuasive. Franklin also promised him $5,000 for the performance.

“I told him that my minimum fee is N20 million,” Spyro recalled, explaining that he reluctantly agreed to Franklin’s plan due to the circumstances.

Franklin assured him that the arrangement was legitimate, but Spyro decided to seek approval from his management before moving forward.

Pressure to perform

The singer recounted how Franklin put him in an awkward position at the event. “Upon getting there, Davido was returning from the stage, and Ubi informed me that I was going on next,” he explained. Feeling cornered by the presence of high-profile attendees, Spyro reluctantly performed.

After the event, Spyro approached Franklin to collect the agreed-upon payment. To his dismay, Franklin avoided him, ignoring his calls and messages. “He didn’t talk to me until we got to Lagos,” he said. The music executive continued to evade the issue, which caused the situation to deteriorate further.

Pastor Bolaji’s involvement

Spyro revealed that Franklin even dragged Pastor Bolaji, a respected clergyman, into the dispute. Despite the intervention, Franklin failed to resolve the matter. “It was painful to be taken advantage of,” Spyro said, expressing his disappointment in someone he once respected.

Warning to other artists

The singer used the podcast platform to caution other artists about Franklin’s alleged actions. “There has been no call or chat from Ubi,” he stated, accusing the executive of consistently exploiting people for financial gain.

He emphasized that his story serves as a warning to protect other musicians from falling victim to similar scams.

A damaged relationship

He admitted that the incident has tarnished his opinion of Franklin, whom he once admired. “Ubi Franklin is one of those few people that I respected until recently,” he said, describing the betrayal as a painful experience.

The singer also criticized Franklin for trying to prevent him from contacting Davido directly. Franklin reportedly warned Spyro not to reach out, claiming Davido did not know about the performance arrangement.

Industry reactions awaited

The allegations have stirred conversations within the music industry, where both Spyro and Franklin are well-known figures.

As of now, Franklin has not responded publicly to the accusations. Fans and industry watchers are awaiting his side of the story, as the fallout from Spyro’s revelations continues to unfold.

Spyro’s candid recount of the ordeal sheds light on the challenges many artists face behind the scenes. While he expressed frustration over the lack of resolution, his willingness to speak out may help other artists navigate similar situations.

For now, the dispute remains unresolved, leaving fans wondering if Franklin will address the allegations or attempt to make amends.

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