An Anambra State youth association, Dynamic Minds League, has sued a recording artist, Douglas Jack Agu (alias Runtown) at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over an alleged breach of contract.
It is claiming N14.3 million damages from the musician.
The group, through its president Chizuo Anetoh, said it agreed with Runtown to perform at the popular state-wide harmattan carnival held last January 1 in Adazi-Nnukwu town.
The claimant, through its lawyer Raphael Anagbado, said it contacted the musician’s management company, Eric Many Entertainment, and after a meeting with the manager Armani Henshaw, a fee of N800,000 was agreed, which was fully paid.
Based on the agreement, the group said it printed fliers to advertise the show’s ticket prices of N3,000 for VIP and N1,000 regular, which were posted across the state.
The association said it also featured Runtown on the back page of its magazine, booked for two hotel rooms for the musician and his manager, and paid for their flight tickets to Port Harcourt, from where they would head for Anambra by road.
The claimant said Henshaw demanded that four armed mobile policemen be provided to escort them to the venue, but the group was only able to provide two.
According to the claimant, when the artiste and his manager arrived Port Harcourt, they refused to be escorted by the two armed policemen, and eventually refused to attend the event on the basis that it was already late.
“The carnival took place without the attendance of Runtown who was billed to perform between 1-2am. Cash refunds were made to many people who demanded a refund because Runtown was the high point and attraction which justified the ticket prices.
“Due to the absence of Runtown, the association lost millions of naira in expected profit (including cash refunds made) and severe damage to its reputation which has a grave impact on the association’s ability to stage events, attract patrons and compete with rival carnival/show organisers in Anambra State and environs,” the claimant said.
The association is, therefore, praying the court to order Runtown to refund the N800,000, pay it N2million as special damages which covers cash refunds to guests, cost of fliers, radio jingles and hotel reservation; as well as N10million as general damages for loss of revenue; N1million as exemplary damages, and N500,000 as cost of the suit.
During hearing before Justice Josephine Oyefeso, Anagbado said his client called the musician several times to demand a refund without a response. He said he sent a letter proposing settlement, which was not accepted.
The lawyer said his client instead got a reply from Runtown’s lawyer refusing reimbursement and damages demanded, citing breach of contract by the claimant for alleged late provision of armed security personnel as escort to the venue.
Runtown, through his lawyer, Mr E. O. Ekeocha, filed a preliminary objection, asking the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.
He said the claimant failed to comply with the court’s rules on pre-action notice.
Arguing the objection, the lawyer said: “The claimant’s demand letter is not a pre-action notice. The rules provide that a claimant must send a pre-action protocol containing the reliefs sought.
“All the claims are at variance with their pre-action letter, which does not activate the court’s jurisdiction. We plead with your Lordship to strike out the suit.”
Justice Oyefeso adjourned until January 25, 2017 for ruling on the preliminary objection.
Tag: Runtown
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Group sues Runtown for refusing to perform after payment
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Owerri rocks with Star Music Trek
…Bright Chimeze makes surprise appearance
…Olamide’s Yoruba lyrics popular among young Easterners
DJ Neptune took the lead in the music rave, setting the mood for the much anticipated occasion.
Anchored by notable Lagos MC Laffup, the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Imo State, played host to an amazing number of revelers who were determined to keep vigil with the widely advertised music stars in this year’s Star Music Trek, an annual city-to-city tour of trending artistes, put together by Nigerian Breweries Plc.
As early as 9pm, last Saturday, the atmosphere was turbocharged with ecstatic youths who were not only anxious for live performances, but to savour the moment with familiar artistes in concert.
On the line-up included Flavour Nabania, Olamide, M,I Abaga, Kcee, Nigga Raw, Humble Smith and Runtown. And it was obvious the crowd couldn’t wait.
The icing on the cake was having burgeoning artistes show their stuff on the glamorous stage, before these big masquerades. Not less than 30 of these wannabes artistes took their turns to impress the crowd. Although theirs were not popular tunes, they sounded promising to the ears, lending credence to why they were selected among the multitude that approached the organisers for chance on stage.
Hash-tagged ‘mycityrocks’, the road-show had made previous stops in Makurdi, Abuja and Calabar, with the last leg billed to hold in Lagos on November 26, 2016.
Kicking off the show proper, the dramatic entry of Mr Raw was indeed a show production delight. The MC had feigned a random search for freestylers in the crowd, and after putting the microphone to the mouths of three guys who struggled with their rap lyrics, the compass rested on Mr Raw who was only revealed when he lifted the hood from his face. The crowd roared as the artiste made his way to the stage, singing his popular song, Obodo, which he did with Klint da Drunk. That was soon followed by tracks like ‘Baby Baby’, ‘Odi Okay’ and ‘Mr Raw Nwanne’, ‘Spiritual Congi’ and ‘Hip-hop Gyration’ among others.
Mr Raw’s act was followed by that of Runtown. Then, Humble Smith who was introduced by actor Osita Iheme, aka Pawpaw through a recorded video. A rare gem, the Humble Smith, with his live band, comprising of a back-up singer, two guitarists and a pianist, thrilled the crowd with some high life tunes that changed the tune of the show. He disclosed that he started music 18 years ago through the influence of the legendary Highlife singer, Bright Chimeze. Then came a moment of surprise, as the Zigima sound-styled crooner climbed the stage to do back-up for Humble Smith who sang his hit, ‘African Style’.
It was homecoming for Kcee who, alongside his former band member, Presh, started his journey at the Star Quest academy in Lagos. Kicking off his performance with ‘Limpopo’, he raised the tempo of the beats which was gracefully toned down by Humble Smith’s kind of songs. However, Kcee’s entry continue the live aspect of the show going by his inclusion of a back-up singer and a pianist. He introduced two members of his 5Star Music label, Xbustar and Skiibii who rocked the stage with him. But Kcee’s shows are usually not complete without some show of generosity. Despite throwing a bunch of N500 notes into the crowd, one Lucky Azubuike won N30, 000 for being a good dancer. Someone in the crowd also got his golden anklet, and another, his sweat shirt.
Next in line for performance, M.I Abaga entered with his ‘Africa Rapper No 1’ song, a mix of rap and highlife. For Christian, a guy spotted from the crowd for being versed in M.I’s raps, the artiste’s sun glasses and a brand new shoe became his take-home. Like Bright Chimeze, Kelly Handsome made a surprise appearance with his ‘Maga Don Pay’ song.
When Olamide climbed the stage at 3:17am, a new spirit appeared to have entered the fun seekers. It was unimaginable how the leading South-west hip star could have so much impression on the Easterners. They know his songs and were almost ahead of the artiste in rendering the lyrics which are mostly delivered in Yoruba. The shout if Bodoo, as Olamide is often called rent the air. The artist himself appeared to be amazed by the sing-along, as he stopping the music once in a while to examine their mastery of the lines. Then, singing ‘Fada Fada’, predominantly Igbo song he did with Phyno, Olamide showed he too was at home with the Easterners.
Now, who is best to close the Owerri show if not Flavour, the rumoured bae of Project Fame winner, Chidinma Ekile, whose sexy biceps makes as much news as his music across the continent.
He was the third artiste on the night to deliver a live performance with a guitarist, a pianist and a trumpeter. He rendered his popular highlife music to the delight of all – Some tales by moonlight, some romantic poetry, a bit of adult remarks – he did tracks like ‘Ada Ada’, ‘baby Oku’, ‘Oyi’, ‘Mmege’ and ‘Obianuju’ among others.
By the time Flavour hit the last note at 4:37am, Star Trek Owerri had delivered a sterling night of fun and the crew could only look forward to a fortnight when the last leg of the series will berth in Lagos.
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Runtown denies Selling Aye to Davido
BUDDING hip hop artiste, Runtown, has come laid to rest the controversies surrounding Davido’s hit tune, Aye.
Reports had earlier claimed that the song was actually written by him. However, the fast- rising indigenous singer has debunked the claims.
Reacting to the rumours, the Garllado hit maker said: “Davido has had a number of interviews, where he addressed how the song came about. So, if you want to learn more about Aye, ask David or read his interviews.”
When prodded further as to whether he sold the song to Davido, the singer retorted: “The first time I heard about that, I felt it was nobody’s business to raise issues like that. I know we are in Africa and people like to ask questions, but it is certainly not my business. Maybe the song sounds like something I would have done myself. Perhaps, that is why people are saying that.”