The Digest:
Ghanaian rapper Kwesi Arthur has publicly accused his former record label, Ground Up Chale, and its CEO, Glen Boateng, of threats to his life and attempts to control his image and music catalogue years after their professional relationship ended. In a social media statement, the artist alleged the label is demanding $150,000 for him to use his own photographs and claims ownership of his brand from 2016 onward. He also stated he received no meaningful financial benefits while signed to them and warned that should anything happen to him, the label should be held accountable.
Key Points:
- The allegations highlight vulnerabilities artists face with exploitative contracts and ownership disputes long after leaving a label.
- The public dispute could deter upcoming artists from signing with certain labels and push them toward independent distribution models.
- The conflict may financially and creatively stall Kwesi Arthur's career through blocked releases and legal entanglement.
- This case tests Ghana's frameworks for the protection of artists, intellectual property, and contract enforcement.
- The serious nature of the life threats shifts the issue from a business dispute to a potential matter of personal security.
Sources: NotJustOk
