Shallipopi renews clash with Dapper over unpaid money

Shallipopi Dapper dispute intensifies as the singer challenges his former music executive to address allegations over unpaid earnings and royalties

Nigerian singer Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi, has renewed his public confrontation with music executive Damilola Akinwunmi, known as Dapper, in Nigeria on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, challenging the former music executive to meet him face to face over allegations concerning unpaid earnings.

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The latest exchange came after Dapper responded to allegations made by Shallipopi and other former artistes associated with his music business.

Shallipopi subsequently returned to X to insist that the matter should not be allowed to disappear from public attention.

“Once it’s a mistake. Two times is a coincidence. Three times its a pattern. Dapper, come outside right now,” the singer wrote.

He added: “I would rather d!e than allow this case to d!e down. Come out, let’s talk face to face.”

The comments mark another dramatic turn in a dispute that has increasingly centred on money, music catalogues, contracts and alleged royalty payments.

Earlier in August, Shallipopi accused Dapper of withholding money and alleged that earnings from dozens of songs remained outstanding.

He also claimed that his music catalogue had been transferred without proper accounting. Those claims have not been independently established.

The singer previously alleged that more than $1m of his money was still being held, while also raising questions about revenue from 46 songs.

The dispute has widened beyond Shallipopi. Other artistes, including Seyi Vibez and T.I Blaze, have also publicly raised complaints involving Dapper Music, with allegations touching on royalties, contracts, licensing and financial transparency.

The latest confrontation follows a longer history between Shallipopi and Dapper Music.

Shallipopi’s career accelerated in 2023 after the release of “Elon Musk”, while his 2024 album Shakespopi was released through Plutomania Records and Dapper Music.

The relationship later deteriorated, with Shallipopi publicly raising concerns about his dealings with Dapper and eventually ending his agreements with Dapper Music and its affiliate, Dvpper Digital.

Dapper has pushed back against the wider allegations, meaning the competing claims remain a matter of dispute between the parties rather than established findings.

For now, Shallipopi appears determined to keep the issue in the spotlight.

His latest message suggests that he wants the disagreement addressed openly rather than settled quietly away from public scrutiny.

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The continuing row also highlights the increasingly complicated financial relationships between Nigerian artistes and the executives, managers and distributors responsible for handling their music businesses as their catalogues become more valuable.