UNCHAINED VIBES AFRICA CONDEMNS INDUSTRY VIOLENCE, URGES THE NIGERIAN DJ ASSOCIATION TO CHOOSE ACCOUNTABILITY OVER CENSORSHIP

LAGOS, NIGERIA – Unchained Vibes Africa, an organization dedicated to the promotion and defense of artistic freedom, is closely monitoring the recent dispute between Grammy-winning artist Damini “Burna Boy” Ogulu and Michael “DJ Tunez” Adeyinka, as well as the subsequent response from the Nigerian DJ Association (NDJ).

First and foremost, Unchained Vibes Africa unequivocally condemns the physical altercation that occurred. We stand firmly with DJ Tunez and all industry professionals in their fundamental right to a safe and respectful working environment. Violence, intimidation and hostility have no place in the creative sector and artistic status does not grant anyone immunity from basic professional decency or the rule of law.

However, we must express our deep concern regarding the NDJ’s decision to impose a nationwide ban on Burna Boy’s music across their members’ playlists. While we empathize with the association’s desire to protect its members and demand respect, utilizing censorship as a punitive measure sets a dangerous precedent for the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Based on international human rights standards, including Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the UNESCO 2005 Convention, artistic expression is a fundamental right. Penalizing an artist’s creative catalogue for their off-stage conduct dangerously conflates the art with the individual’s personal actions. Banning music deprives the public of their right to cultural participation and functions as arbitrary and extrajudicial censorship.

To ensure justice and protect the integrity of our creative spaces, Unchained Vibes Africa recommends the following:

• Pursue Due Process: If an assault or physical violation occurred, it should be addressed through the appropriate civil or criminal justice systems. We encourage DJ Tunez and the NDJ to seek accountability through proper legal frameworks rather than resorting to arbitrary industry blacklists.
• Engage in Professional Mediation: We urge the NDJ, Burna Boy and their respective management teams to engage in open dialogue and professional dispute resolution.
• Separate Art from Conduct: The safety of DJs and the defense of artistic freedom are not mutually exclusive. The industry can and must, demand respect for its professionals without weaponizing music distribution or suppressing artistic output.

Unchained Vibes Africa remains committed to a thriving, safe and free creative economy. We call on all stakeholders in the Nigerian music industry to champion mutual respect, reject violence in all its forms and firmly defend the freedom of artistic expression.