Music producers Sarz and Ozedikus, alongside DJ Kaywise, have shared their experiences of alleged unfair treatment by some Nigerian artistes, shedding light on what they describe as exploitation within the industry.
The conversation began after Sarz, during an appearance on the Afropolitan podcast, reflected on his early years in the music business and the challenges he faced with compensation.
“So many popular artists took advantage of me, they would make music with me and not pay me. There is one big artiste I made two songs with but he only paid for one, that day I said anyone who doesn’t have what I’m charging, I’m not working with them then I started becoming a notorious person,” he said.
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Following the circulation of a clip from the interview on X, producer Ozedikus recounted a similar experience from his past. Without naming the artiste involved, he alleged that he worked extensively without receiving payment and was also denied proper recognition.
He wrote, “After watching Sarz talk about artists taking advantage of him, I remembered 2016/17 when I produced 30+ songs in 2 months for someone. Got paid for none. They dropped one track and I was begging just to be tagged on ig for ‘exposure.’ Still didn’t happen lol.”
DJ Kaywise also joined the discussion, revealing his own disappointment involving rapper Eldee The Don. According to him, the rapper had promised to sign him to a record label in 2012 but failed to fulfill the commitment after he had invested significant effort.
“After seeing your tweets, I remembered in 2012 @eLDeeTheDon promising to sign me to his label… after I made over 1,000 mixtapes for him and his artists in my alaba days. Baba said @NOTJUSTOK would announce it after he signed @EvaAlordiah to the label. That was the first major industry lamba I ever got and that’s why I haven’t signed with any label since.”
He added that choosing to remain independent after the incident has turned out to be beneficial for his career.
As of the time of filing this report, Eldee The Don has not publicly responded to DJ Kaywise’s claims.
