Nigerian music star George Gabriel Mgbem, popularly known as Mr Real, has once again publicly called out his former boss, the legendary singer Oladapo Oyebanjo, aka D'banj. The Temptation crooner made fresh and explosive allegations during a recent podcast appearance, claiming his financial gains from the association were shockingly minimal.
A Heated Podcast Revelation
Mr Real was a guest on the popular Honest Bunch podcast, where he opened up about his career and past working relationships. In a moment of raw emotion, the singer stated that if he were to die today, he would have nothing to show for his time with D'banj unless the Koko Master "settles" him. His statement was abruptly cut short by a host who interjected that he would not die, but the sentiment had already been laid bare.
The core of Mr Real's grievance revolves around money. He accused D'banj of being stingy, alleging that after working under him for over two years, he only benefited a mere $500 in total. He expressed deep frustration, noting that D'banj's fame led people in his neighborhood and circle to assume he was making significant money, which was not the case.
Fame Without Fortune?
Mr Real did acknowledge that D'banj provided exposure, taking him to shows and introducing him to influential people in the industry. However, he insisted that these opportunities did not translate into tangible financial gain for him. The singer's frustration reached a point where he claimed he almost told his children to start cursing D'banj because of his dire situation.
"Just because D'banj is an OG doesn't mean I can't call him out," Mr Real declared, getting visibly worked up while recounting his experiences. This is not the first time he has levelled accusations against D'banj; he made similar claims in an interview a few months prior.
Mixed Reactions from Fans Online
The revelation sparked immediate reactions from fans and followers on social media, with opinions sharply divided.
Some fans criticized Mr Real, calling him ungrateful and questioning his entitlement. One user, @fx_de_boss, commented: "You are been ungrateful bro, make una dey think before you open your mouth, how many people way dey work with you now you, dey give that same $500?"
Others urged caution, asking to hear D'banj's side of the story. @mronukwube1 shared: "Let's hear D'banj side of the story, Entitlement and Emotional blackmail is the best thing an upcoming Artist do when they feel they have arrived."
However, a significant number of netizens demanded concrete evidence. Many challenged Mr Real to show the contract agreement he had with D'banj's camp to substantiate his claims, moving the conversation from mere allegations to a call for proof.
This latest public spat casts a shadow on the mentor-protege relationship in the often-glamorous Nigerian music industry, highlighting recurring issues of contracts, compensation, and perceived exploitation.
