12 Nigerian Artistes who have had issues with their Record Label

Vector vs YSG

The beef between Vector and YSG (a division of Young Shall Grow motors, run by Obiora Obianodo, first son of the transport guru – Chief Vincent Obianodo) began in 2013, after the rapper complained about his progress-rate and the label’s nonchalant attitude towards his career. He suggested that they employ more professionals and when they refused, Vector hired people and was paying them personally. Things escalated after Vector – who was at the peak of his career then – went on a vacation to the USA. When he returned, Obiora, the YSG boss accused him of going to sign a record deal there. Vector denied, but weeks later, he was summoned by Lagos State Police Command, Festac. There, he was presented with a ‘breach of contract’ petition, claiming he had engaged external hands to work for him. His parents got involved (as his dad is a retired police officer), and it was settled amicably.

Feeling unsafe and threatened, Vector surrendered the car and apartment YSG had provided for him and went about his daily life, until – at a video shoot for a song he was featured on – he was arrested and detained till his lawyers came through. The label went ahead to file an injunction against Vector at a Federal High Court, stopping him from recording, composing or releasing any material as a recording artiste. For 9 months, his career stalled as he battled the injunction, until both parties decided to settle out of court – with Vector buying out his contract, at a discounted rate. The whole debacle ended with the artiste writing an open letter where he apologized to the label for ‘everything’.

Today, Vector is still a force to reckon with in the music scene. YSG, well, not heard anything from them in a while.