The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has said the late musician, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as MohBad, was not its member.
President of the music body, Mr. Pretty Okafor, told the investigative hearing held by the instance of the joint Committees on Justice and Legislative Compliance, of the House of Representatives that this made it impossible for the Organisation to resolve the dispute over royalties between MohBad and his recording company, Marlian Records, adding that PMAN can only intervene in matters affecting members.
He further said the issue would have been easily resolved had the late singer been a member of the trade union.
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Mr. Okafor said: “We engage the Music Managers Association of Nigeria. We engage the Record Label Association of Nigeria and we also engage the artistes. That is why it is difficult to manage the crisis that has erupted now.
“Some of them believe that PMAN is archaic. Some of them believe that it is only for old people. Some of them, the record labels manipulate their psyche not to make them stay under the authority of PMAN. That is why this kind of crisis emerged.
“So, if we reach out to the Record Label Associatio,n they will need to reach out to their artistes. They must be a member of PMAN so that we can protect their interests and also protect the interest of the record label owners because they are supposed to get certification from PMAN.
“The structure has been that the Record Label Association and record label owners must be registered members of the union so that they can be monitored and guided. Same with the musicians. Also the music managers are supposed to be part.
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“We have a lot of people under PMAN, including Tuface, MI, Banky and so on. They all belong to the association. But the younger ones, maybe their managers and record labels, were not passing positive messages to them and that is why it was difficult for them to join the union.
“So, when the crisis started, I personally wanted to interfere but I could not …. That is the main reason for being a PMAN member. Because of contractual issues. PMAN like I said the record labels are also registered certified carriers of PMAN certificate to operate the record label.
“Then the artists are members. So, the burden is on PMAN to now call the record labels to the table and call the artist and his management to the table and address it. Because we have a legal team, they handle that.”
However, Hon. Olumide Osoba reiterated that h the House was determined that the maisdue of MohBad’s royalties and entitlements would be resolved.