Rising Afrobeats sensation Khaid has set Nigerian music circles ablaze with a terse social media post that’s being dissected like a top-chart single: “They want control. I want freedom.” The 22-year-old star, real name Sulaimon Shekoni Solomon, shared the enigmatic words on his X (formerly Twitter) account late Thursday, fueling rampant speculation that he’s severing ties with Sydney Talker’s Neville Records – the label that catapulted him from bedroom demos to streaming stardom.
The post, which has garnered over 100,000 views and thousands of interactions in under 24 hours, arrived amid whispers of backstage tensions. Khaid, known for soulful bangers like “With You” and “Joromi,” signed with the comedian-turned-mogul’s imprint in 2022 after a viral freestyle caught Sydney’s eye. Under Neville, he inked deals with major platforms and dropped his breakout EP Blessings, but insiders hint at creative clashes: “It’s about autonomy – Khaid’s vision clashing with label expectations on drops and collabs,” a source close to the camp told Pulse.ng.
Fans aren’t buying the subtlety. On X, #KhaidExitsNeville trended nationwide, with users like @abazwhyllzz posting, “Khaid has left Sydney Talker’s record label? Small money wey these new cats make them dey always get issues with their oga 😂💔,” amassing 2,700 likes. Another, @JayPabl, shared side-by-side shots of Khaid’s recent moody selfies, captioning: “Something is up, is Khaid leaving Sydney’s label?” Queries flooded in, including a direct plea from @ExpensiveFKA: “Bro I heard you’re not longer signed to Sydney’s record label pls clear the rumours.” Media outlets piled on, with PM News headlining the “hint” as a full-blown confirmation of departure. Daily Post Nigeria echoed: “I want freedom – Khaid hints at leaving Sydney’s label,” quoting the full post where he lamented constant pressures. Republic Media went further, declaring it “official,” citing the statement as a mic-drop on his exit from the “comedy-turned-music executive who discovered him.”
Sydney Talker, 32, whose Neville Records has nurtured talents like Ayra Starr’s early buzz before her Mavin switch, hasn’t responded publicly. His feed remains a mix of skits and promo posts, silent on the storm. This comes hot on the heels of similar label dramas in Naija’s scene – think Fireboy’s YBNL glow-up or Rema’s Mavin loyalty tests – where young guns chase independence after hits pay off. Khaid’s camp teased a “major announcement” last week, tying into rumors of a self-titled album sans Neville strings.
Khaid’s journey? A Lagos street kid turned sensation. Discovered at 19 via Instagram clips, his Neville stint birthed 2024’s PEACE treat, blending R&B vibes with Afrobeats flair and clocking millions on Spotify. But freedom cries aren’t new; in a 2024 Vibe interview, he mused, “Music’s my escape – labels can cage that fire.” If this split sticks, it could mirror Omah Lay’s UMG pivot: more control, bigger bags, but solo risks.
As X erupts – supporters chanting “Fly free, King K!” while skeptics warn of “new cat egos” – one truth lingers: In Afrobeats’ gold rush, control’s the real hit single nobody wants on repeat. Khaid’s next move? Fans are glued, playlists paused. Whatever the drop, expect it laced with that hard-won freedom.