Renowned Ghanaian rapper Kwesi Arthur has publicly accused his former record label, Ground Up Chale, and its executive, Glen Boateng, of ongoing harassment, intimidation, and attempts to control his music and image even years after their professional relationship ended.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on January 21, 2026, the multiple award-winning artist alleged that Ground Up Chale is demanding $150,000 from him for using his own images in an independently released project despite him no longer working with the label. He claims the management insists it owns his image, music, and related rights from 2016 to the present, even though he has had no active business ties with the company since releasing Son of Jacob.
Kwesi Arthur further alleged that throughout his time signed under Ground Up Chale, he received little to no income from his work and was subjected to constant threats and manipulation. He cautioned fans that if anyone tries to block or take down his current releases, the blame should be placed squarely on the label and Boateng.
In a more emotional part of his message, the rapper expressed concern for his safety and that of his family, stating that if anything happens to him, Ground Up Chale and its executives “should be held responsible.” He also revealed that the prolonged dispute has taken a significant toll on his mental health.
Kwesi Arthur rose to prominence under Ground Up Chale and became one of Ghana’s most influential hip-hop artists, earning both local and international acclaim. However, he did not attach any contractual evidence to support his allegations in the public post. As of publication time, neither Ground Up Chale nor Glen Boateng has responded publicly to the claims.
Why This Matters
This dispute highlights ongoing tensions in the Ghanaian music industry over artist rights, ownership, and artist-label relationships issues that have affected careers and creative control for musicians across the continent.