Kiss Daniel, dragged to court by formal label, G-Worldwide.
Nigerian singer, Anidugbe Daniel, aka Kiss Daniel, and his erstwhile
record label, G-Worldwide Entertainment have taken their case to court
after both parties fell out last month.
Kiss Daniel had left the label and went on to float a new record
label, Flyboy Inc, under whose imprint he released his latest single, No
Do.
Now his formr label, G-Worldwide has dragged him to court, accusing him of “taking
steps to appoint a new manager, solicit for bookings, and has continued
to negotiate and enter performance agreements in respect of the songs
from the album New Era, and Evolution which is set to be released soon
containing singles such as Yeba, For You, Senorita, Sofa and others,
produced under the contract, including using the stage name ‘Kiss
Daniel’ without the company’s prior consent and permission.”
In a statement by G-Worldwide’s lawyers, Calmhill Partners, it was
stated that a Federal High Court in Lagos had on November 30, granted an
order that all parties should maintain the status quo under the
contract. The company further warned the general public against
contracting any business with Kiss Daniel.
The statement read, “The import of the order being that the state
under which the parties existed under the contract should be preserved
until the court makes a determination of the motion on notice filed by
the company. All and any dealings in respect of the upload,
distribution, and or performance of any of the songs, as well as the use
or exploitation of the name ‘Kiss Daniel’ can therefore only be entered
or made with the prior written consent and permission of the company as
provided under the contract.”
A copy of the court order signed by Hon. Justice Babs Kuewumi partly reads,
“It is hereby ordered as follows that in the interim both parties are
ordered to maintain the status quo ante Bellum under the recording
contract pending the hearing of the motion on notice.”
The case was adjourned till January 9, 2018.
Meanwhile, the statement by Calmhill Partners, which was signed by
Aso Kalu Etea, warned that anyone who conducted business with Kiss
Daniel pending the determination of the suit risked being held in
contempt of court. It read,
“The general public and the whole world is further cautioned that as
the matter is now before a court of law (subjudice), and following the
order to maintain status quo, any unauthorized upload, distribution,
exploitation, performance, sales, and use of the songs (from the New
Era andEvolution albums), or stage name ‘Kiss Daniel’, in any show,
event, downloading or streaming platform, will be in violation of the
order of the Federal High Court. Anyone who does or continues to do so
shall be liable as an accomplice for contempt of court, and the full
weight of the law will be brought against that person as a contemnor.
Any person or organization who negotiates, or enters into any agreement
with Mr. Anidugbe to engage him on the basis of his presumed rights over
the songs in both albums, or the use of the stage name ‘Kiss Daniel’,
does so at his or her own risk and peril.”