Crayon Blasts Mavin Records on X After Label Exit
Crayon, the Nigerian Afrobeats artist whose real name is Charles Chibueze Chukwu, has publicly criticized Mavin Records and its founder Don Jazzy after parting ways with the label. The 25-year-old singer, signed to Mavin’s Blowtime Entertainment imprint in 2019, ended his contract recently and shared a series of posts on X that accused the label of financial misconduct and personal harm. Reports indicate the posts were made on March 15, 2026, with some later deleted, leading to questions about whether his account was compromised or if the statements were intentional.
Crayon joined Mavin in 2019 after releasing his debut EP, Cray Cray, and went on to produce hits like “Ijo (Laba Laba)” and tracks from his 2023 album, Trench to Triumph. During his time with the label, he collaborated with other Mavin artists and benefited from Don Jazzy’s production on several songs. However, tensions appear to have built over time, culminating in his exit. Sources note that Crayon had previously spoken positively about Don Jazzy, describing him as a mentor in older social media posts, but the recent statements mark a sharp reversal.
In the posts, Crayon alleged that Mavin withheld payments and royalties owed to him. He claimed the label collected around $200 million—possibly referencing a recent investment or deal involving Mavin—without distributing his share. One statement read: “Una collect 200 million dollars no give me sheshe!!!” He also accused the label of delaying payments deliberately to damage his career and stealing his “star,” implying favoritism toward fellow artist and friend Rema, to whom he said the label redirected opportunities. Crayon wrote: “You stole my star from me. Yeah I took tha shiiiiii backkkkk hoeeeeerrrr!!!!! Snakkkkkkkeeeeeesssssssss” and “Rema for the next 100 years no feature.”
More seriously, Crayon blamed Mavin for contributing to his mother’s death, stating: “My Mama d!e because of una!!!” and “My mother is dead because of you.” He described the “big label lifestyle” as mentally taxing, saying it nearly broke him. Other posts targeted Mavin’s chief operating officer Tega Oghenejobo, calling him the “highest criminal,” and Don Jazzy himself with phrases like “Don jazzy na my boy!!!!!! Una dey maddddd!!?? Shayennnnn sharayyyyyy333” and “Julius! Judas!!!!” He concluded with: “Mavin is going down!!!!!!”
Following the exit, Crayon announced his new independent label, Olodum Entertainment, and released a debut single titled “Baami” under it. The track’s release coincided with the online statements, suggesting a strategic move to relaunch his career on his own terms. He updated his booking contact to an Olodum email address, signaling a full transition.
As of March 16, 2026, neither Mavin Records nor Don Jazzy has issued a public response to the allegations. Don Jazzy’s recent X activity includes unrelated posts, with no mention of Crayon since an August 2024 clip praising his work rate. Industry observers point out that such disputes are common in Nigeria’s music scene, where artists often cite royalty transparency issues after leaving major labels. Entertainment lawyer Adaeze Okonkwo commented that these claims highlight broader problems in Africa’s music industry when internal negotiations fail.
This fallout raises questions about artist-label dynamics in Afrobeats, where rapid growth and high-stakes deals can strain relationships. Crayon’s accusations, if unaddressed, could impact Mavin’s reputation, especially amid reports of the label’s recent financial moves. For now, the focus shifts to Crayon’s independent path and whether this marks a trend for more artists seeking control over their earnings and creative direction.
