EL, Kiss Daniel set up record labels

Reports of E.L’s departure from BBnZ have been peddled within Ghana’s music industry for some time, but the rapper denied the news. He has now confirmed his exit at a press conference ahead of the release of his forthcoming BAR4 (Best African Rapper Chapter 4) album.

E.L’s new label, named VONation, is headed by Stephan Acquaye, who was part of the BBnZ team. As an artist and Music President at BBnZ, E.L recorded several hits and was the big winner at the 2016 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Back in July when news of E.L's BBnZ exit spread, Acquaye denied the move, saying, "We heard media reports suggesting that E.L had said he was contemplating changing his management and leaving BBnZ but when we asked him, he said it is not true."

Kiss Daniel was also successful under his former label, GWorldwide. His debut album, New Era, was critically acclaimed and named Best Album at the last edition of the Headies awards. His newer singles ‘Sofa’ and ‘Yeba’ have been well received as well.

As a GWorldwide artist, Kiss Daniel was apparently prevented from featuring or getting featured by artists outside of his record label. Label mate Sugarboy was his most frequent collaborator. Nonetheless, his song ‘Good Time’ was redone by Wizkid, and was probably the only time his work was used outside of GWorldwide. Now under his own label, Fly Boy INC, he is expected to become available for collaborations.

On Twitter, where he shared his label’s promotional image, the artist gave a reason for leaving GWorldwide. “That's the major reason I registered FBI [Fly Boy Inc],” he tweeted. “to support talents across the world with my lil change.”