Nigerian businessman and music promoter Paul Okoye, popularly known as Paul O, has addressed Spyro’s recent allegations of poor management during his time at the One Africa Music Fest label. Spyro had claimed that he endured a challenging two years at the label with little to show for it, but Paul O has shared his side of the story.
Spyro’s Allegations
In a recent interview, Spyro recounted his difficult experience as an artist on Paul O’s label, describing it as a period filled with tears and disappointment.
“I signed to the label because I believed they had the resources to push my career to the next level,” Spyro said.
However, the singer claimed that the label failed to support the promotion of his breakout single, “Funke,” which featured Davido and Mayorkun. Left without backing, Spyro and his business partner had to take out loans to finance the song’s promotion.
Spyro also remarked that while Paul O was kind and supportive, he understood showbiz more than the intricacies of the music business.
Paul O’s Response
Reacting to Spyro’s claims, Paul O took to Instagram to share receipts of his investments in Spyro’s career.
“I spent ₦12 million on him and made nothing in return,” Paul O stated, attaching proof of payments made in 2017, which included trips to Dubai and the UK for the singer.
Despite the lack of financial returns, Paul O expressed happiness over Spyro’s eventual success, showing no hard feelings.
Spyro’s Counterclaims
While Spyro did not dispute Paul O’s claims of investing in him, he insisted that his experience at the label was bitter.
In a series of posts on his Instagram story, the singer recounted being chased out of a UK hotel because the label only paid for a single night’s stay. He also alleged that some staff members treated him poorly, undermining his efforts and leaving him feeling powerless.
“I saw hell in the hands of the label staff,” Spyro wrote, while also acknowledging Paul O’s efforts to intervene.
A Bittersweet Conclusion
Despite the challenges, Spyro reiterated his respect for Paul O and expressed gratitude for the businessman’s role in his career.
“Paul O put me on, and I’ll always appreciate him for that,” Spyro concluded.
Spyro’s candid revelations and Paul O’s response highlight the complexities of navigating the Nigerian music industry and the often-overlooked dynamics between artists and their labels.
What’s your take on this issue? Let us know in the comments!
