Shallipopi, however, maintained that he stood by the claims he had previously made against Dapper Music and Entertainment Limited.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Afrobeats singer and rapper, Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi, has explained why he opted not to call out his former manager and record label boss, Damilola Akinwumi, also known as Dapper.
The 26-year-old artist justified his decision in a statement to his fans on social media, where he noted that he can no longer speak publicly about the dispute while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigates the matter.
Shallipopi had earlier accused Dapper, who owns the record label Dapper Music and Entertainment Limited, of withholding royalties from 46 of his songs and threatened to involve the EFCC over the matter.
Updating his fans on the development, the singer said his legal team and the anti-graft agency have advised him to step back from public commentary and allow the process to run its course.
He added that, based on this advice, he has stopped discussing the dispute because rushing the process could affect the pursuit of justice.
“My legal team and the EFCC have advised me that, for justice to be served, I need to step back and trust the legal process,” Shallipopi said.
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He first claimed that the allegations against Dapper Music and Entertainment Limited must now be thoroughly investigated, adding that he would not use his music or social media platforms to continue addressing the matter.
“Because of this, I cannot fight for myself using my music nor my words. I cannot sing about it, talk about it, or share it on any media platform for now,” Shallipopi said.
He, however, maintained that he stood by the claims he had previously made.
“While I stand firmly by the truth of my claims, I now understand why I cannot make public commentary on matters under active investigation, nor use my artistic expression to address them as I did a few weeks ago,” he said.
Shallipopi said the matter was important to him because everything he had worked for since his teenage years was tied to it.
“Everything I have worked for since my teenage years is tied to this. I remain hopeful that justice will prevail,” he said.
The Alfa Relax Oo crooner also expressed his frustration over being unable to personally address the matter as he had previously done.
