What seemed like a peaceful professional split has now erupted into online drama, as Kaestyle, label mate to Afrobeats star Omah Lay, claims that the singer’s longtime manager Muyiwa Awoniyi was actually sacked contrary to the calm announcement Awoniyi made earlier on social media.
On Friday afternoon, Awoniyi had taken to his X handle to announce his departure from managing Omah Lay after years of collaboration. His post, though brief, implied a respectful and mutual decision:
“With love and respect, I am no longer managing @Omah_Lay.
That’s my brother and I wish him all the best in his endeavours for life!”
However, within an hour of the post going live, Kaestyle took to X with a cryptic but pointed message:
“Dem sack you, you say I’m no longer… lol always quick to go on social media.”
The comment appeared to contradict Awoniyi’s version of events, implying that the manager was relieved of his duties rather than stepping down voluntarily.
Clearly interpreting Kaestyle’s post as a jab, Awoniyi didn’t hold back in his response. Quoting the post, he revealed a deeper backstory behind his role in Omah Lay’s career and his motivations:
“I agreed to manage Omah to get him out of the very slave deal that you signed. Now he is out, I also am out. You on the other hand are a slave.”
According to Awoniyi, his management of Omah Lay was strategic, specifically to help the artist escape a binding and allegedly exploitative record deal with KeyQaad, the same label Kaestyle is signed to.
The public exchange has exposed internal tensions within the KeyQaad camp, hinting at deeper disputes over management, contracts, and artist independence.
Despite the back-and-forth, Omah Lay has chosen a path of appreciation, publicly honoring Awoniyi in a heartfelt post:
“@IAmDonawon The most intelligent n*gga I’ve met so far in the game, love you forever my blood.”
Awoniyi responded warmly, saying:
“Love you my brother. Clarity of mind is on the way now finally!”
In a follow-up post, Awoniyi added another twist to the ongoing saga, revealing that Omah Lay has concluded plans to leave KeyQaad and has already established his own imprint, ‘Boy Alone’ presumably named after his 2022 album of the same title.
Still, Omah Lay himself has not yet confirmed his exit from KeyQaad or the launch of the Boy Alone imprint, leaving fans and industry watchers curious about what’s next for the singer’s career structure.
The unfolding drama underscores the increasingly public nature of behind-the-scenes music industry dealings particularly in Nigeria’s booming Afrobeats ecosystem. As artists rise in global prominence, conversations around contracts, creative control, and artist independence are becoming more visible and sometimes, more volatile.
While Omah Lay’s next steps remain officially unannounced, one thing is clear: changes are happening, and eyes will remain glued to his pages for what comes next.
