Damilola “Dapper” Akinwunmi, founder of Dapper Group, on Wednesday, has issued a rare and detailed public statement to address the allegations levied against him by several artistes.
Dapper outlined the company’s investments, legal support and contractual processes while rejecting claims of exploitation.
In the statement titled “Everything Except The Noise,” Akinwunmi explained that he had deliberately stayed quiet for a long time. He preferred to handle business disagreements through facts, contracts and the law. Prolonged silence, he argued, was being misinterpreted as an admission, and an apparent agenda sought to damage his name and the business he built.
Relationships with artistes including Seyi Vibez, Shallipopi and T.I Blaze began properly, according to Akinwunmi. The label sent contracts in advance, negotiated terms and involved legal counsel from the outset. In Shallipopi’s case, the company paid for legal representation after the artiste’s arrest and also covered costs for a friend who held no contract with the label.
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Akinwunmi listed substantial investments in recording, production, artwork, marketing, music videos shot across multiple countries, touring and personal advances. Two US videos alone cost $52,000, while a single American trip exceeded $200,000. Advances remain recoupable under standard industry practice, a term the label clearly communicated and the artists agreed before any signing.
He denied selling any artist’s catalogue, forging documents or withholding earnings. Akinwunmi invited an independent forensic audit of the books, contracts and payments and pledged to accept the findings publicly.
The company has cooperated fully with authorities. A formal dispute hearing date already stands fixed. Threats against him have been reported. Akinwunmi closed by asking the public to wait for verified facts rather than online narratives.