Popular Nigerian DJ and music producer, Imohiosen Patrick, widely recognized as DJ Neptune, has finally broken his silence on the swirling allegations suggesting he defrauded his younger colleague, Laycon, a talented artist and former winner of Big Brother Naija. These accusations have sparked significant public interest and discussion in the music industry.
As previously reported by Gistreel on August 22nd, 2024, Laycon took to the popular microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) to publicly call out the veteran DJ, demanding updates on the agreement they had reached, specifically concerning his share of the earnings from their collaboration. According to Laycon, this has been an unresolved issue for four years, with no clear resolution or settlement in sight regarding his percentage from the project they worked on together.
Recently, DJ Neptune finally addressed these allegations during an interview on the “Zero Conditions” podcast, offering his side of the story and shedding light on what he believes is a misunderstanding. Neptune emphasized that the issue stemmed from problems with documentation, rather than any deliberate misconduct or fraudulent activity. He explained that the advanced marketing costs tied to the distribution of their song had to be repaid before profits could be shared.
In his own words, Neptune stated:
“Laycon is my brother regardless of the situation. Let me make it clear here, nobody took anyone’s money or tried to defraud anybody.”
He went on to elaborate on the complexities of the music business, particularly when dealing with distribution companies or record labels. Neptune explained that when an artist or producer receives advanced marketing funds to promote a song, video, or related content, there is an obligation to reimburse those costs before any profit-sharing can occur. He referred to this process as a “return on investment.”
“So that’s essentially where we are with the ‘Nobody Icons Remix’. What Laycon is seeking is proper documentation to reflect the agreement and ensure everything is in order,” Neptune explained.
Neptune further revealed that Laycon had reached out to him in an attempt to resolve the matter amicably, which he appreciated. In response, Neptune involved his legal team and even requested contact information for Laycon’s lawyer, which Laycon provided. Neptune then forwarded this to his legal representatives to ensure the proper channels were followed.
“I’m not a legal expert; I’m a creative. My priority is to make music, perform, and take care of my family. That’s why I entrusted this matter to the professionals who handle legal issues. I wasn’t aware that the conversation between our legal teams had stalled,” Neptune admitted.
He acknowledged that perhaps his mistake was not following up more closely on the situation to stay informed about the progress being made. Neptune added that at one point, a specific percentage of the earnings had been proposed to Laycon’s team, but it was rejected, and the discussions appeared to have come to a standstill from there.
In conclusion, DJ Neptune reiterated that there was no intention to deceive or cheat anyone, and he remains open to continuing discussions in order to find a fair resolution for both parties.
