Nigerian singer Spyro has openly criticized wealthy individuals, particularly billionaires, for what he described as a tendency to avoid paying for services rendered.
In a passionate outburst shared via his Instagram story, Spyro expressed his frustration over the growing trend of affluent individuals expecting to receive value without compensation.
According to him, their behavior is not only disrespectful but also undermines the efforts of hardworking professionals like himself.
“The people that owe the most are the RICH. Always wanting free things, especially your so-called billionaires,” he wrote.
“They can spend hundreds of millions on women, but when it comes to paying for value tendered, they begin to misbehave.”
Spyro, clearly exasperated, made it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated in his dealings. He emphasized the hard work he had put into building his career and warned against assuming he would provide his services without due compensation.
“Sha don’t bring it near me o, I worked really hard to be here and I ain’t poor, so if you want my services you pay my price. Simple,” he asserted.
His tone conveyed both anger and a firm stand on upholding his worth and the integrity of his brand.
Earlier this year, the singer had also made headlines after calling out music executive Ubi Franklin during an interview.
He claimed that Franklin owed him $5,000 for a performance in Ghana that he was allegedly tricked into doing. According to Spyro, the gig was misrepresented and he felt used, which only added to his growing resentment towards individuals who fail to honor financial obligations.
The accusation added fuel to the ongoing conversations around accountability in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
However, Ubi Franklin responded swiftly, denying the accusation and flipping the narrative. He alleged that it was Spyro who owed him money instead.
According to Franklin, he had introduced the singer to a car dealer and expected a 10% commission from the transaction, which Spyro reportedly refused to pay.
The back-and-forth between the two artists played out in the public eye, offering fans a glimpse into the murky financial dealings behind the scenes in showbiz.
In a counter-response to Ubi’s claims, Spyro posted a video flaunting his assets and expressing gratitude for divine providence.
“God has been faithful to me without taking 10 percent,” he said, subtly mocking Ubi’s demand for a cut.
The singer used the moment to reiterate that he owed no one for the success he had achieved and warned others not to misinterpret his humility as weakness.
His stance was bold and unapologetic, signaling a shift in how younger artists are asserting themselves in the industry.
Spyro also had strong words for his former label boss, Paulo Okoye. Recalling his experience under Okoye’s management, Spyro claimed he was forced to take a personal loan to cater to himself because the label failed to support him financially.
This, he said, was yet another example of how artists are often exploited. But Okoye didn’t take the accusation lightly. He released receipts showing he spent over N12 million on Spyro and maintained that he never made a kobo in return.
