List of artists who went ‘down’ after splitting with their producers!

There’s nothing new under the sun, and in the music industry, everything that is happening now, has happened before.

If your favourite music group is breaking up today and you are surprised, don’t be, even the Fat Boys, Jackson 5 and VIP broke up. If your best artist-manager posse broke up and you are saddened, don’t fret – even Beyonce and Matthew Knowles broke up and so did Shatta Wale and Bulldog. Everything has transpired before!

So, after getting confirmation of the split between Ghanaian dancehall gem, Stonebwoy and his longtime producer and friend, Beatz Dakay – www.entertainmentgh.com found it germane to compile just a few of similar occurrence in the music industry over the years.

The list shows the split between known artists and their longtime producers and how the artists went down after the split – with regards to relevance, recognition and critical mention.

D’Banj – Don Jazzy

The relationship between these two was an enviable one. The chemistry was telling, as they exhibited it in the ‘magic’ that was exuded in their productions, in the music videos and on platforms where they performed together.

With the productions of Don Jazzy, D’Banj ruled the Nigerian and the African music industries for 7 years (2005-2012) and in 2012; that connection, friendship and bond saw them take over the world with the international banger, ‘Oliver Twist’. The success of ‘Oliver Twist’ also caused the biggest break-ups in world music.

After the break-up of the union and Mo’Hits (the label formed by the two), D’Banj has struggled to maintain the relevance and ‘shine’ while Don Jazzy has gone on to create a strong label in Mavins, producing and catapulting the likes of Korede Bello, Dr. Sid, Reekado Banks and D’Ja to international stardom.

Winner: Don Jazzy Loser: D’Banj

2.ASEM – Richie



Rapper, Asem and producer, Richie were a force. Their union did set trends in Ghanaian music and the two became household names. Gimme Blow, Pigaro and many other chart-topping tracks by the two, plus the introduction of ‘crunk’ to Ghanaian music elevated the two to higher ground.

Their inability to sort out the good that came out of some endorsement deals saw their split – sadly. After the split, Asem went on produce one mega hit with Kaywa, Bye Bye but he was unable to replicate the success he chalked with Richie and vamoosed into oblivion.

Richie has gone to produce and project one of the biggest female acts in Africa, MzVee

Winner: Richie Loser: Asem

3. Wande Coal- Don Jazzy



D’Banj was the face of Mo’Hits but the talented one on the label’s roster was Wande Coal, and thanks to Don Jazzy, Wande attained success and international recognition.

From 2008 to 2013, the artist also known as Black Diamond – was the most-sought-after artist in Africa.

Disagreements over rights, money and supremacy caused their breakup – and after the split, Wande, regardless of how hard he is working is unable to recapture the old glory.

Winner: Don Jazzy Loser: Wande Coal

4.N.W.A – Dr. Dre

NWA were the fore bearers of ‘Gansta Rap’ and in 1986- 88, they were ruling the hip hop space with authority-defying tracks that surged them to critical acclaim.

Producer, Dr. Dre, was in control of all the productions for the group and from 1986 to 1991, their relationship ensured they soared on the charts.

Their infamous breakup saw the end of NWA after which Dr. Dre moved on to greater things, becoming one of the richest hip hop heads for quite a longtime.

Winner: Dr.Dre Loser: NWA

5.Bow Wow –Jermaine Dupri

Legendary producer, Jermaine Dupri, and his So So Def label had seen to the rise of many stars including Bow Wow.

At a tender age of 13, Dupri made Lil’ Bow Wow a star, producing his first two platinum albums, Beware of Dog and Doggy Bag. Songs from the albums were featured in movies, commercials as well as giving the kid major roles in movies.

When the artist decided not to include JD in production for his third album, Unleashed, it marked the downward trend of the artist’s buzz.

From Lil’ Bow Wow to Bow Wow to Shad Moss, he has virtually done it all, but the days of Lil Bow Wow under Dupri cannot be replicated.

Winner: Jermaine Dupri Loser: Bow Wow