These five artists dared to expose the dark side of Nigeria’s music industry — revealing how powerful labels wield unfair contracts, block creative freedom, and even resort to legal threats or arrests. Despite public outcry at the time, most have since been sidelined or silenced. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

1. Cynthia Morgan

Once a dancehall queen under Northside Entertainment, Morgan claimed her stage name, YouTube channel, and career were blocked by label boss Jude Okoye after hits in 2014. She accused him of “taking everything away,” including her identity . Although she apologized later, many see it as forced damage control — her career has barely recovered.

2. Temmie Ovwasa

The YBNL “Princess” alleged that Olamide’s camp hindered her growth, rejecting shows, suppressing song releases, and even controlling her personal freedom during her stay in his family home. Despite sparking essential dialogue on gender bias in labels, her objections have largely faded from public discourse.

3. Vector (Olanrewaju Ogunmefun)

Signed to YSG Entertainment, Vector sued when the label blocked him from releasing music and had him arrested for contract breach . Though he eventually apologized and resolved matters, his career momentum suffered drastically — a stark reminder of the cost of resisting.

4. Runtown

In 2016, Runtown took legal action against Eric Manny Entertainment, accusing them of withholding royalties, threatening him with death, and using an injunction to cancel a U.S. tour. While he eventually secured freedom, years of manipulation and lost opportunities took a toll on his trajectory.

5. Bad Boy Timz 

Bad Boy Timz recounts being arrested by his label for alleged contract breaches — a move he calls “bullying by the industry’s rich.” He even left the country for a year to escape the hostile environment

🧠 Why They Were Silenced