Nigerian singer Crown Uzama, known as Shallipopi, has said he will stop addressing his court case with Dapper Music and former manager Damilola Akinwumi, known professionally as Dapper, in public. He said the decision follows advice from his legal representatives and Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while an investigation is ongoing.
Shallipopi had previously accused Dapper of withholding royalties from 46 of his songs, which led to a public fallout between the artist and his former manager. He now says he will not use his music, social media platforms or other public channels to address the dispute.
Why Shallipopi is stepping back#
In a statement, Shallipopi said stepping back from the public conversation was necessary to allow the legal process to run its course. He explained that his legal team and the EFCC advised him to trust the investigative process rather than continue discussing the allegations publicly.
He said this means he can no longer address the dispute through his songs or social media posts, as he had done in recent weeks. Shallipopi added that he remains confident in the claims he has made, but understands that commenting publicly on a matter under active investigation could interfere with the pursuit of justice.
He said his silence should not be read as a withdrawal of his allegations. Instead, he said, it is an attempt to allow the relevant authorities to handle the case.
Background to the dispute#
The disagreement between Shallipopi and Dapper has played out publicly in recent weeks, with both sides making claims about their professional relationship. Shallipopi previously called on Dapper to respond to his allegations and later made further claims concerning the management of his music and finances.
His allegations include a claim that royalties from 46 of his songs were withheld. Dapper has also publicly responded to Shallipopi’s accusations, adding another layer to the dispute.
The matter has drawn attention within Nigeria’s music industry, partly because of the prominent roles both parties have played in Shallipopi’s career. With the case now reportedly being investigated by the EFCC, Shallipopi has adopted a more cautious approach.
What happens next#
Shallipopi said he does not want to jeopardise the process by continuing to discuss the allegations publicly. He acknowledged that the situation is deeply personal because much of his career and livelihood is connected to the matter.
He said he remains hopeful that the investigation will establish the truth and lead to justice. For now, he intends to allow the authorities and his legal team to handle the dispute, pausing the public back-and-forth between him and Dapper.
