Fast-rising Nigerian singer Ayo Maff is at the center of a heated legal dispute with his record label, TunesBid Limited, over alleged breaches of a recording contract signed in December 2023.
In an explosive statement posted across its official social media pages, TunesBid accused the singer and his management team of violating the terms of their exclusive agreement by allegedly negotiating a deal with Empire Distribution behind the label’s back and later attempting to abandon their obligations altogether.
“Despite multiple attempts at mediation, it became clear that the artist and his team had no intention of honoring the contract,” the label stated. “TunesBid has now instructed its legal team to pursue the matter through the courts.”
TunesBid claims it made substantial financial and promotional investments to launch Ayo Maff’s career, including the full funding of breakout singles like “Street Anthem,” “7 Days,” and “Dealer.” The label says its efforts helped propel the young artist from obscurity into the national spotlight in just six months.
That visibility reportedly attracted attention from Empire Distribution, which offered a deal to distribute two EPs with an option for a full-length album and even agreed to provide an upfront payment to TunesBid as part of the agreement.
However, according to the label, Ayo Maff and his management Oyefeso Oluwamayowa Olumide, Okolie Amobi Chiedu, and Oyefeso Ayotunde began holding independent talks with Empire and allegedly cut the label out of the deal entirely.
TunesBid further alleged that after investing in recordings for the upcoming EP, Ayo Maff’s team suddenly cut communication and expressed intent to exit the contract — a move TunesBid called a “deliberate and fraudulent breach.”
In the strongly worded release, the label warned all event organizers, promoters, and business entities — including RoadMan Ent., AfroVibes Sheffield Ent., 1XMedia Ent., and Make da Melanin Group — to cease working with Ayo Maff or his management company, OceanStreet Creative Limited, without written approval from TunesBid.
“Any third party engaging with Ayo Maff without our authorization does so at their own legal risk,” the statement said.
When contacted by TheCable Lifestyle, Ayotunde Oyefeso, Ayo Maff’s manager, confirmed the legal dispute but kept his response brief:
