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The Ghanaian music industry is once again rocked by a high-profile artist-label fallout, this time centering on rapper Kwesi Arthur and his former record label Ground Up Chale (GUC), led by manager Glen Boateng. In a series of raw, emotional posts on X (formerly Twitter) on January 22, 2026, Kwesi Arthur laid bare his frustrations, claiming he fulfilled every obligation under their contract and even went beyond it only to face ongoing control, financial demands, and alleged threats.
The Tweets That Shook the Scene
Kwesi’s outburst included two powerful statements that quickly went viral:
“I lived up to the contract. I did the time. Even after it was over, I decided to work with you on Son Of Jacob in good faith. I carried Ground up Chale on my back.”
And in a follow-up plea:
“Just leave me alone to put out my music.”
These words capture years of pent-up emotion. Kwesi emphasized that his debut album Son of Jacob (released in 2022 under GUC) marked the end of their formal ties, yet the label allegedly continues to assert ownership over his image, music catalog, and related assets from as far back as 2016. He previously accused them of demanding US$150,000 just to use photos of himself for an independent project, while claiming he earned “not a dime” from music released under the label echoing producer Kayso’s earlier revelation about receiving no royalties from Kwesi’s breakout hit “Grind Day.”
In earlier posts, Kwesi even warned: “If anything happens to me, Glen Boateng and all team members of Ground Up Chale are responsible,” raising serious concerns about intimidation and personal safety amid the dispute.
Industry Reactions Pour In
- Fellow rapper Medikal publicly urged Ground Up Chale to “leave Kwesi Arthur alone,” framing it as a warning against mistreatment.
- Media personalities and fans rallied with hashtags like #FreeKwesiArthur, calling out exploitative contracts and “modern slavery” in the industry.
- Broader discussions highlighted similar struggles faced by artists like Black Sherif and Quamina MP, pushing for reforms in artist rights, royalties, and fair contracts.
On the other side, a lawyer for Ground Up Chale disputed some claims during a Joy FM X forum on January 22, citing documented royalty payments made to Kwesi in 2025 via email—though this has not quelled the public outcry or Kwesi’s stance.
Why This Matters for Ghanaian Music
Kwesi Arthur rose to fame under Ground Up Chale with massive hits like “Grind Day” and “Anthem,” helping put the label on the map. His allegation that he “carried Ground Up Chale on my back” underscores how foundational talents often build labels, only to face battles for independence later. This saga adds fuel to ongoing conversations about:
- Artist ownership of image and masters post-contract.
- Transparent royalty systems (with recent outrage from artists like Fancy Gadam over low payouts).
- The need for better legal protections and mental health support in the industry.
Kwesi’s simple plea “Just leave me alone to put out my music” resonates deeply with fans who want to see him focus on creating without drama. As an independent artist now, he’s poised for a fresh chapter, but this dispute highlights systemic issues that could affect many more.
The story is still developing, with potential for more revelations or resolutions. For now, the industry watches closely: Will this lead to real change, or another unresolved chapter in Ghanaian music’s fight for fairness?
I lived up to the contract. I did the time. Even after it was over, I decided to work with you on Son Of Jacob in good faith. I carried Ground up Chale on my back.
Send your stories to Email: myghanadaily@gmail.com • WhatsApp: +233 577 145 140— KWESI ARTHUR (@KWESIARTHUR_) January 22, 2026
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source: kaknews.com
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