The once celebrated relationship between Nigerian singer, rapper and performer, Ycee with Sony Music appears to have hit the rock as his agency, Tinny Entertainment has announced the cancellation of the distribution deal with Sony Music Africa. In October 2016, Ycee signed an exclusive deal with Sony Music Entertainment in South Africa. The General Manager of Sony Music West Africa, Michael Ugwu who announced the deal then said
“I'm extremely proud to welcome Tinny Entertainment and the amazing talent that is Ycee to the Sony Music Entertainment West Africa family. I've watched this team grow over the past few years and I am amazed at how they have navigated the industry to reach this stage. Ycee is the future of hip-hop in Africa and we will be front and centre of SME West Africa's strategy as we take Africa to the world."
Ycee who also expressed happiness took to Instagram to announce the deal. He wrote
"Great things happening, alongside Tinny Entertainment, I’m so proud to become part of the Sony Music family!!”
A year after the deal, Ycee has accused Ugwu of not properly managing artistes lamenting that he was only out to rip them off. His representative, Tinny Entertainment also released a statement announcing the cancellation of the deal with Sony. The statement reads
"Tinny Entertainment signed a license and distribution deal with Sony Africa for the distribution of some of YCEE’s music globally, in the hope that SONY AFRICA would take their music to the next level.
“We would like to state officially that we terminated our contract with SONY through our lawyers, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, by a letter dated 5 December 2017. Henceforth, we are the sole owners of the copyright in any and all of our music and can exploit our music on any and every platform.
We have realized that it is best to undertake the distribution of our records by ourselves, as a Record Label and that Made in Nigeria across board, is the only way to be above board. As a Label, we are pushing out great music this year starting with “Say Bye Bye,” “I Wish” and our YCEE and Bella Collabo EP, “Late Night Vibrations.” We thank you for the love!
