Kelly Hansome alleges exploitation, suppression by music industry heavyweights
Nigerian musician Kelly Hansome, born Orji Kelechi Obinna George Michael, has made explosive allegations against prominent figures in the Nigerian music industry, detailing past experiences of financial exploitation and media suppression.
The singer, known for his hit song ‘Maga Don Pay’, shared his claims in a video clip from an upcoming episode of a podcast.
Reflecting on his time with former record label Kennis Music, Kelly Hansome recounted a show where he was informed his performance fee was ₦450,000, only to later discover that the organisers allegedly paid ₦6 million. He claimed he stopped performing midway through the event and publicly declared he was not compensated, prompting the organisers to demand a refund.
In another segment, Kelly Hansome referenced a lucrative endorsement deal worth ₦140 million. He accompanied the video with a caption warning fans not to pick sides without knowing the full story, accusing some industry players of deliberately tarnishing others’ reputations.
The singer also alleged that Kenny Ogungbe, co-founder of Kennis Music, blocked his interviews and stifled the release of his music during their feud. He claimed his former boss deliberately hindered his success despite his talent.
Kelly Hansome further recounted an incident involving D’banj, stating that the legendary singer suggested he hold a laptop for a mugshot after being arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
This is not the first time Kelly Hansome has made serious allegations against industry veterans. In 2021, he accused Don Jazzy of orchestrating his arrest by SARS, leading to his transfer from Kano to Abuja in handcuffs.
The forthcoming podcast episode is expected to shed more light on his controversial revelations. However, neither Kennis Music nor the individuals mentioned have publicly responded to his latest claims.
