In a significant turn of events within Ghana’s music scene, acclaimed rapper Kwesi Arthur has found himself embroiled in a contentious dispute with his former record label, Ground Up Chale, and its executive Glen Boateng. The conflict took a dramatic turn on January 22, 2026, when Arthur publicly accused Boateng of extortion and obstruction regarding his music releases.
The rapper’s claims sparked widespread support from fellow artists and fans across social media platforms, where prominent figures such as Nana Aba Anamoah, Kayso, and Medikal voiced their backing for Arthur while criticizing Boateng’s actions.
However, the narrative shifted with the emergence of email exchanges dated back to May 2025, which reveal a more complex relationship between the two parties. This correspondence was shared by Boateng’s legal representative during a recent discussion on Joy News, shedding light on the contractual obligations that governed their collaboration from 2017 to 2025.
According to Jonathan Amable, Boateng’s attorney, Arthur initially entered into a four-year contract with Ground Up Chale, which stipulated a revenue split of 60% to the label and 40% to the artist. Following the expiration of this contract, Arthur agreed to a one-year extension with a revised 50-50 revenue share. Amable emphasized that the current disputes over image rights were not included in the original agreement, suggesting that much of the public discourse is based on misinformation.
Amable further refuted Arthur’s claims that the label impeded his ability to use visuals for his recent project, ‘Redemption Valleys’. He clarified that the footage in question was recorded during Arthur’s tenure with Ground Up Chale, making it the label’s intellectual property.
Following the legal discussions, additional emails revealed that Boateng raised concerns over Arthur’s alleged solicitation of $118,712.08 from a third-party entity, Platoon, without notifying the label. Additionally, Boateng highlighted that Arthur had accrued approximately £91,370.00 in royalties since joining Ground Up Chale.
In light of these developments, Ground Up Chale issued a formal ultimatum to Arthur, demanding a written acknowledgment of unauthorized use of their materials and the settlement of an attached invoice for licensing fees. The label warned that failure to comply within seven days could lead to legal action.
As the situation evolves, the music industry watches closely. The implications of this dispute could reverberate beyond the parties involved, affecting the ongoing dialogue about artist rights and label responsibilities within the Ghanaian music scene.
