Following the ongoing dispute between Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the joint alliance of the Independence Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) and Broadcast Organisation of Nigeria (BON) which led to the ban of 96 musicians on TV and radio stations,
Nigeria artistes have decided to boycott shows this Christmas and afterwards.
E.M.E Boss, Banky W, said: You claim to have banned my artistes and you want them to perform at your events. I am categorically stating that if this issue is not resolved by the meeting with Nigeria Broadcast Commission, then I don’t have a choice than to pull out all E.M.E artistes from these events.”
2Face Idibia also bared his mind on the issue, saying: “It is sad that some group of people do not want things to work the way it works every where in the world. It is not about me but about the respect for the rule of law and intellectual property and that’s what we artistes are demanding for. They pay for everything, why not the music?”
A COSON board member Efe Omorogbe also threatened to pull out of events.
The highly anticipated Headies Awards may also suffer the same fate as musicians may shun the event.
Omorogbe said that musicians under COSON will give Ayo Animashaun, owner of Hiphop World Magazine/HipTV, a few days to make public his stand on the ongoing crisis or risk boycott of the awards.