“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,” Reekado said concerning his departure.
Reekado also spoke about how the frequent conflicts between artists and record labels in Nigeria might be why people thought he fought with Mavin Records.
“I feel like it’s a tradition in the Nigerian record label business for artists to breakout angrily from their record labels and this is being imposed on my relationship with Jazzy.” Reekado Banks said on the assumptions surrounding his departure.
Reekado further emphasised the positive nature of his departure. He described Don Jazzy, the founder of Mavin Records, as a “blessing” and someone he remains “eternally grateful” to. This statement highlights the mutual respect and appreciation between Reekado and his former label, further dispelling any rumours of a negative split.
Reekado Banks’ departure from Mavin Records stands out as a positive example in the Afrobeats industry, which has often seen messy breakups between artists and labels. Unlike Reekado’s amicable split, other artists haven’t been as fortunate.
For instance, Brymo’s legal battle with Chocolate City was a long and drawn-out affair. Similarly, Skales and Baseline Records ended their relationship on a sour note, taking each other to court. Runtown’s highly publicised dispute with Eric Many paints a similar picture.
In 2022, the industry was rocked by the very public fight between Marlian Records and Mohbad, which gained even more attention after the artist’s tragic passing. These cases highlight the contrasting situations in the Afrobeats world, where Reekado’s smooth departure from Mavin Records is a welcome exception.
