Kwesi Arthur Slapped With GH₵10 Million Lawsuit as Ground Up Moves to Court
Ghanaian rap star Kwesi Arthur has reportedly been dragged before the courts in a GH₵10 million civil suit by his former record label, Ground Up Chale, marking a dramatic escalation in the long-running tensions between the two sides.
According to sources close to the case, Ground Up Chale—led by manager and creative director Yaw Sarpong (Yaw Yo)—filed the suit alleging breach of contract, loss of revenue, and damages arising from what the label describes as the artist’s failure to honor key obligations under their recording and management agreement. The label is said to be seeking financial compensation, citing investments made in Kwesi Arthur’s early career, including production, promotion, branding, and international exposure.
Kwesi Arthur, born Emmanuel Kwesi Danso Arthur Jnr, rose to prominence under the Ground Up banner after the breakout success of “Grind Day” and later “Anthem,” which helped cement his status as one of Ghana’s most influential contemporary artists. However, cracks in the relationship became public over the past few years, with speculation about contractual disputes, creative control, and the handling of releases.
While court filings are yet to be fully detailed publicly, insiders suggest the GH₵10 million claim reflects what Ground Up believes to be losses tied to unreleased projects, canceled performances, and stalled brand partnerships. The label reportedly argues that Kwesi Arthur’s independent moves breached exclusivity clauses still in effect at the time.
On the artist’s side, close associates indicate that Kwesi Arthur intends to contest the claims, maintaining that he acted within his rights and that any contractual obligations had either been fulfilled or rendered unenforceable. As of the time of filing, neither Kwesi Arthur nor Ground Up Chale had issued an official public statement addressing the specifics of the lawsuit.
The case has already sparked intense debate within Ghana’s music industry, reigniting conversations about artist-label contracts, transparency, and fair compensation. Industry observers say the outcome could set an important precedent for how disputes between artists and creative collectives are handled in the country.
As the matter heads to court, fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see whether the dispute ends in a settlement or a landmark judgment—one that could reshape the business dynamics of Ghana’s fast-growing music scene.