This public dispute between music executive Ubi Franklin and singer Spyro unfolded on social media, spiralling into a back-and-forth exchange of accusations. The controversy began with Spyro’s claim that Ubi had exploited his connection with superstar Davido to secure Spyro’s performance at a birthday celebration in Ghana, subsequently failing to compensate him as promised. Spyro’s allegations quickly gained traction online, prompting a swift and vehement denial from Ubi Franklin.
Ubi Franklin, in a live Instagram session and a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), refuted Spyro’s narrative, characterizing it as a calculated attempt to smear his reputation using Davido’s name for added impact. He vehemently denied ever invoking Davido’s name to influence Spyro and questioned the logic of such a claim, pointing out that Spyro already had direct access to Davido. Instead of addressing the initial payment dispute directly, Ubi Franklin shifted the focus by accusing Spyro of owing him a substantial sum of money stemming from a car purchase agreement.
According to Ubi Franklin’s account, he had facilitated Spyro’s acquisition of a vehicle, with a clear understanding that Spyro would pay him a 10% commission upon completion of the car payment. Ubi claimed that Spyro had indeed finalized the car payment in December but had failed to honor the agreed-upon commission. This unpaid commission, totaling ₦10.5 million (approximately $13,600 USD at the time), became the crux of Ubi’s counter-accusation. He further revealed that he was withholding $5,000 meant for Spyro as leverage to recover the outstanding debt.
Ubi’s detailed explanation of the financial transactions sought to portray him not as a defaulter, but as the aggrieved party in this dispute. He emphasized that Spyro’s narrative was a manipulative tactic designed to garner public sympathy and generate publicity, leveraging Davido’s name to amplify the story. This strategic move, according to Ubi, was a calculated public relations stunt by Spyro to start the year with increased visibility.
The public nature of this disagreement brought to light the complex financial dealings and interpersonal relationships within the music industry. Ubi Franklin’s insistence on Spyro’s direct access to Davido served to undermine the credibility of Spyro’s initial accusation. Ubi’s assertion that Spyro was attempting to capitalize on Davido’s name for personal gain framed the situation as a deliberate attempt at manipulation.
This conflict escalated quickly from a simple payment dispute to a complex web of accusations and counter-accusations. Ubi Franklin’s aggressive response, including publicly disclosing financial details and accusing Spyro of a PR stunt, significantly altered the narrative. The incident underscores the potential for miscommunication and disputes within the entertainment industry, especially regarding financial agreements and the involvement of high-profile figures. The use of social media platforms as the primary battleground further amplified the conflict and exposed the intricacies of these professional relationships to public scrutiny.
