The Nigerian music industry is buzzing with controversy as Myke Records CEO, Obinna Michael Ikoku, has accused popular broadcaster and music mogul Kenny Ogungbe of Kennis Music of “stealing” one of Nigeria’s most versatile music talents, Kelly Hansome. This clash has reopened old wounds, raising questions about intellectual property, contracts, and the legacy of the iconic artist.
At the center of the storm is Kelly Hansome, born Kelechi Orji, a talented artist and music production engineer who rose to prominence in the mid-2000s. Between 2005 and 2006, Kelly was not only signed to Myke Records but also managed The Clap Music Studio on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, owned by Ikoku himself. His breakout hit ‘Maga Don Pay’ cemented his place as a household name, showcasing his lyrical depth and creative versatility.
The latest drama began when Kenny Ogungbe, co-founder of Kennis Music, made a bold claim on The Honest Bunch Podcast, suggesting ownership over Kelly Hansome’s music. This did not sit well with Ikoku, who took to Instagram to set the record straight.
“I didn’t fight them back then,” Ikoku revealed in his post. “Kelly was young and naive, and I let it slide because I wanted his career to flourish. But now, with all these lies, it’s time to tell the truth.”
Ikoku backed his words with evidence: a legally binding five-year contract, signed on October 16, 2005, between Myke Records and Kelly Hansome. The contract, Ikoku insists, was still active when Ogungbe allegedly lured Kelly to Kennis Music.
The stakes are high, with Myke Records asserting their legal rights over Kelly Hansome’s music catalog. Ikoku questioned Ogungbe’s narrative, particularly the claim of discovering Kelly’s music at NV Lounge & Nightclub in Owerri, a venue linked to Myke Records.
“Who invited Ogungbe to Owerri? Who owns the club? Who owns the song?” Ikoku fired back. “How dare he claim ownership of what belongs to us?”
Due to the role Myke Records played in shaping Kelly’s career, Ikoku’s focus appeared to shift away from Kelly himself and firmly toward Kennis Music, which he believes must be held accountable.
While Kelly has kept much of his thoughts private, he hinted at his desire for the truth to come to light in a recent social media post: “The truth will always come out. I’ve been silent for too long, but the world deserves to know.”
This conciliatory stance underscores Kelly’s effort to step back from the dispute and let both labels resolve their differences.
Ikoku and Myke Records have made their intentions clear: Kennis Music will face legal action. “We own the rights. We own the songs. And we will take every legal measure to defend our ownership,” the label declared.
The case hinges on the Deed of Agreement signed in 2005, which explicitly granted Myke Records exclusive rights to Kelly Hansome’s music for five years. Ikoku contends that Kelly’s works were unlawfully transferred to Kennis Music, making Ogungbe’s claims baseless.
As both parties prepare for what could be a landmark legal battle, the Nigerian music industry is bracing for ripple effects that could reshape artist-label dynamics.
With over two decades in the music industry, Kelly Hansome remains an influential figure, known for hits like ‘Like Play Like Play’ and ‘Celebrate’. However, the ongoing dispute may threaten to overshadow his contributions to Nigerian music.
The big question remains: who truly owns Kelly Hansome’s legacy? As Myke Records and Kennis Music face off, fans are left wondering whether this battle will lead to justice or further complications.
Stay tuned as this saga unfolds—because in the world of entertainment, the truth always finds a way to the surface
![“I’ve not receive anything from anyone,” BBN’s Ka3na cries out as her colleagues bag political appointments [Swipe]](http://instablog9ja.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/instablog9ja_20201106_26-1024x1024.jpg)
