They Owned My Songs, My Body, My Silence: A 10-Year Prison Sentence in the Music Industry

Editor’s Note: This is a firsthand account from a singer, songwriter, and survivor. It reflects recurring patterns within the music industry. Names and identifying details have been altered to protect the individual.

Let’s start at the beginning. You came to Lagos chasing a dream. What did that dream look like then?

Honestly, It was simple. I just wanted a shot. I wouldn't lie, I know I am beautiful and it was something to leverage. But I am also talented, people have been telling me that since forever. So, like we all know Lagos is where you come if you want your talent to explode. I didn’t really come with a master plan, just that hope and hunger plus maybe a bit of naivety, if I’m being honest.

So, that was when you met Christopher*?

Yes.

How was that like?

You know, he had this label. Everything looked serious, not even going to lie. It wasn't that huge at that time but he was a respected person. He had producers plus artists people were already paying attention to. So, shen he listened to the song I brought, he just said, “This is special. I’ll release this. Give me a few months.”

What happened after that promise?

At first, nothing alarming.Chris would say, “You know how the industry is.” Timing. Budget. "Let’s perfect the sound." Stuff like that. It didn't sound like excuses because I was recording and getting feedback, it just wasn't getting out there. Then the lines started blurring. We were spending more time together. Talking. Hanging out. And somehow, a situationship started. You know, I was also practically living with him. So, there was no clear moment where I could say this is when we started the relationship. I didn’t even clock how dangerous that was. I thought, maybe this is how things work. 

Did you, at least, keep working on your songs?

The music thing just stopped coming up for like a long while. And when I brought it up, it felt awkward. Like I was rushing him. Like I was being ungrateful or something.

So, you decided to leave.

Yes. But that was the hardest part about everything. There was the contract, yes. I didn’t fully understand at the time. Just when you see an opportunity that feels life-changing, you go with the flow of your sponsor. But the legal contract was less worrisome than the social part. He was powerful and respected in the area where we stayed and in the industry generally. More like even protected. It made me think, if I say something, who will they believe?

So you stayed. 

Right, I waited. I told myself, Just a little longer. That “little longer” turned into years.

What finally pushed things from bad into unbearable

The months were getting longer and I thought of moving on quietly. Restart. I didn’t even make a noise. I didn’t threaten. I just started thinking, Maybe I can build something small on the side. So, I stopped going to the studio and found somewhere else to live. At least, there were lots of people doing well alone. Maybe not big big, but it's something. He didn’t shout. He didn’t even need to. There was a tape.

Wow.

You see, the “relationship” had its moment where I was really trusting. This was something private I trusted him with as well. He showed me the tape and he made it very clear, like casually, that if I stepped out of line, that tape could “accidentally” find its way out. He threatened me and all. That was when I knew. I was owned.

Was it before or after this that he signed another artist?

Before he signed another young artist. There were other artists already doing their thing. It was after this tape saga and threat that he signed another artist. 

How did that pan out?

That one broke something in me. Because suddenly, everything he said he couldn’t do for me available. The budget, the promotion, the timing was right, the market was ready for this new artist (a guy, not sure if his gender had anything to do with it). And to make it look like he wasn’t abandoning me, he made us do a song together. They called it a “feature” that is would help me. But when you listen to the track, I’m barely there. The worst part is, I wrote the track for the guy.

What it just that one song you wrote?

No, oh. I was writing more than 80% of the songs. I wrote full songs, hooks, verses on features, too. He’d come to me and say things like, “you have the strongest pen game here.” Or “Just sketch something, we’ll tweak it.” 

Did you at least get credit?

My name was nowhere. No credit. No publishing. No payment. Nothing. Vibes and insha'Allah, really. One of those songs featured a major A-list artist. It was everywhere. I remember thinking, that should really have been me, you know. I’d lie in bed thinking, If people knew this was me, would anything change? Probably not.

How did you finally get out?

The moments finally aligned. He had families abroad that he didn't want to know about me. So, when the wife came, he shifted his focus from me. That allowed me to do other side jobs. I already knew confronting him directly would’ve destroyed me. So, I planned to relocate abroad. That also took a while though. I finally moved and did what courage couldn’t.

Who are you now, on the other side of that distance?

Free. That’s the word. I rebranded. I learned the business side. I release my own music. I promote myself. I decide what happens to my work. I’m not “big” yet. But I’m mine. And that matters more than anything he ever promised me. It's enough. 

If you're open to sharing your own story, reach out to shomade.a@69agency.co.uk