TRENDING: Spyro, Ubi Franklin, Paulo’s, online spat explained

Social media has been abuzz over the previous 24 hours as Nigerian singer Oludipe David, popularly often known as Spyro, publicly clashed with music govt Ubi Franklin and showbiz mogul Paul Okoye, aka Paulo.

The controversies stem from Spyro’s allegations about unpaid efficiency charges, disputed monetary dealings, and grievances about label mismanagement.

These claims had been ignited throughout Spyro’s look on the Echoo Room podcast on Wednesday, the place he recounted his journey within the Nigerian music business.

Deceit allegations

Throughout the podcast, Spyro accused Ubi of deceit involving a efficiency price. He defined that Ubi had approached him with a proposal to carry out at a party, claiming the occasion was organised by Davido, but it surely turned out to be a special case.

“I’ve a problem with Ubi Franklin. I had a pending video shoot with Davido for one among my hit songs, so I agreed to go for a birthday provide. Ubi stated that he (Davido) was going to offer $5,000. I known as him to the aspect and stated I don’t cost that quantity; I cost at the very least N20 million in Nigerian foreign money. He (Ubi) got here and stated Davido wished me and singer Iyanya to carry out at a party. I known as him to the aspect and stated, ‘I don’t cost that quantity. My administration is right here—this was unplanned and unprofessional,’” Spyro revealed.

Spyro claimed he reluctantly carried out because of the dignitaries in attendance.

“After I carried out, I known as Ubi and requested for the cost. He then stated it wasn’t Davido who was behind the request. Ubi used Davido’s title to deceive me into performing with out correct compensation,” Spyro alleged.

Debt Leverage

In a rebuttal, Ubi, in an Instagram Reside, accused Spyro of owing him ₦10.5 million as a ten% fee for facilitating the acquisition of a automotive value ₦105 million.

Ubi defined that he withheld the $5,000 as leverage till Spyro paid his alleged debt. He burdened that he had no purpose to deceive Spyro or falsely use Davido’s title, particularly since Spyro had direct entry to Davido.

Ubi stated, “Through the years, I’ve been misrepresented. If a enterprise deal goes flawed, I get dragged and insulted. In 2025, I received’t keep silent or let anybody harm my title. And please, cease utilizing Davido’s title to make your story extra attention-grabbing or to get consideration.”

He added, “It is not sensible, however gullible folks will imagine it. I’ve by no means used David’s title to realize something. If you happen to’re making an attempt to make use of me to kick off your PR for the yr, it received’t work as a result of I’ve an excessive amount of to lose. Pay me 10% off the automotive I helped you purchase. You advised me to attend till you completed paying, however I do know you accomplished the cost in December. You owe me ₦10.5 million, and I’ve $5,000 for you. If we stability it out, you owe me ₦2.5 million as a result of $5,000 is about ₦8 million. In 2025, I’ll handle each accusation in opposition to me. Spyro, the place is my 10% from the automotive deal? You owe me ₦2.5 million.”

Chat receipts floor

The dispute escalated as Spyro shared screenshots of conversations to help claims. Spyro’s messages revealed months of reminders to Ubi concerning the $5,000 cost. Considered one of his messages learn, “Oga Ubi, it’s not good that I’ve to chase you for cash I labored for. Please repair this.”

On 24 December 2024, Spyro reminded Ubi once more, writing, “Huge man, it’s twenty fourth in the present day, and but nothing on the cash. No matter occurs in the present day, please take it that I’ve tried.”

However Ubi interpreted the assertion as a menace within the chat, responding, “You threatening me, Spyro? Okay.”

On Thursday morning, Spyro continued the decision out and said that he was not able to relent on Ubi’s case until he was delivered to ebook.

“We go once more in the present day for OWE-BI-FRANKLIN. I can’t relaxation until he is delivered to ebook. #WePin. I’ll by no means depart nor forsake you, OWE-BI-FRANKLIN… I’ll stand by your neck. I’ll make it my obligation to deliver you to ebook. OWE-BI-FRANKLIN… not till you apologise, I’ll forgive you and let the cash go.”

The general public spat divided followers and business insiders, with some supporting Spyro’s calls for whereas others criticised him for airing grievances publicly.

Enter Paulo

Including one other layer to the controversy, Spyro, who claimed to be signed to leisure tycoon Paulo, spoke about his former file label expertise and criticised him for alleged label mismanagement.

Throughout the podcast, Spyro revealed he had been signed to PaulO’s label for 2 years however made no monetary beneficial properties. As an alternative, he claimed he needed to borrow cash from the label proprietor to satisfy private wants.

‘’I used to be signed to PaulO of One Africa Music Fest. I didn’t make something from the label, and PaulO knew my plight however did nothing about it. I used to be in tears as a result of nothing was going effectively for me. I used to be signed to a label owned by a billionaire with three Rolls Royce, but nothing to point out. I borrowed cash from the file label proprietor to cowl primary wants. I spent two years with the label. I used to be all the time in tears as a result of nothing was working for me. My monetary struggles worsened, resulting in banks pursuing me over unpaid money owed. He (Paulo) is a sort man, however whereas he’s nice in showbiz, operating a label isn’t his forte.”

PaulO’s daughter, Vanessa Okoye, waded in. Vanessa wrote, “Some folks on this music business are loopy. One small hit, and you’re granting interviews and speaking garbage. The way in which a variety of you’re so fast to chew the hand that has as soon as helped you earlier than. God forgive you.”

Hours after PaulO responded to Spyro’s allegation. He disclosed by way of his Instagram story that he spent over ₦12 million on Spyro throughout his time with the label, overlaying music movies, promotions, and journey bills. He shared receipts, which included funds for 2 music movies, worldwide flights, and resort lodging, alleging that “there was zero return funding made in Spyro.”

Counter-allegation

By Thursday morning, Spyro countered, stating that PaulO’s receipts solely bolstered his struggles. The singer shared a private story about being allegedly kicked out of his (Spyro) resort in Wembley, England, after One Africa Music Fest as a result of the room was solely booked for one evening.

“I didn’t lie, Oga @pauloo2104. Your receipts show my level. I didn’t test the journey particulars as a result of I bear in mind being kicked out of my resort after One Africa at Wembley. The room was solely booked for one evening, and I used to be left within the chilly for hours till @superkunle’s sister acquired me an Airbnb. I stayed there with out meals, and the woman in the home fed me for 2 days earlier than I modified my flight and returned to Lagos. Until in the present day, nobody has requested how I used to be. I’m grateful for all the pieces you probably did for me, sir. All of it helped me turn into the Spyro I’m in the present day, and I respect that. Baba, let’s be sincere—we’re nonetheless cool. We even went on tour lately, and also you had been type. We had enjoyable. All love, Baba.

“Ought to I speak about how label workers deal with ‘upcoming’ artistes? I used to be mistreated, like my phrases didn’t matter. I used to be already fighting shallowness, and so they made it worse. One workers member even spoke to me like I didn’t exist. I advised Oga Paulo, and to be truthful, he corrected the individual however was hardly round. If I begin speaking about what I went via… however that’s for one more day. Nobody cares about an artiste’s emotions; they see him as property. This occurred to me as a College of Ibadan graduate. I went via hell.”