Reekado Banks Slams Music Industry Players for Stifling Talents: “Clueless or Demonic”
Nigerian music star Reekado Banks has stirred conversations with his latest post on X, where he addressed the issue of certain individuals within the Nigerian music industry allegedly hindering the growth of talented artists. In a March 25 post, Reekado revealed his frustration with what he described as “clueless” or “demonic” figures in the entertainment sector, claiming they often find the brightest budding talents only to make decisions that harm or frustrate their careers.
He wrote, “One day, I’ll take an interview to talk about someone in the corners of the entertainment industry, who’s either absolutely CLUELESS or plain DEMONIC. Somehow, the brightest budding talents fall in their lap and either through cluelessness or pure demonic activities, they agree to policies that effectively slow these talents down and for some other talents, frustrate them out of pursuing their dreams. One day…”
Reekado’s words are unlikely to come as a surprise to those familiar with the frequent artist-label disputes within the Nigerian music industry. Many artists have openly accused their management teams or labels of making decisions that negatively affect their careers, creating a tense environment for young talent trying to thrive in the industry.
Despite his strong statement, fans are left to speculate which figures Reekado could be referring to. However, it’s unlikely that his comments target his former label, Mavins Records, as his departure from the label was amicable. In a previous interview with media personality Daddy Freeze, Reekado Banks made it clear that he left Mavin Records on good terms, expressing his gratitude toward label boss Don Jazzy. “That man took me from absolutely nothing. I wonder why anyone would think it wasn’t amicable. The end of the contract came, I wanted to leave and he (Don Jazzy) gave me his blessings,” he said.
Reekado’s positive experience with Mavin Records stands in stark contrast to the experiences of other artists in the Nigerian music industry, many of whom have faced bitter disputes with their record labels. High-profile cases like Brymo’s legal battle with Chocolate City, Skales’ court conflict with Baseline, and Runtown’s infamous dispute with Eric Many have exposed the underlying challenges in the Nigerian music business.
More recently, the tragic case surrounding Marlian Records and the death of Street pop artist Mohbad, as well as the ongoing tensions between Dapper Music and its artists Seyi Vibez, Shallipopi, and Muyeez, have highlighted the continuing issues within the music industry.
Reekado Banks’ post serves as a reminder of the many challenges young talents face as they navigate a complex industry, where the path to success can be shaped as much by personal relationships as by raw talent.
