Kwesi Arthur accuses Ground Up Chale of demanding $150K for his own images, threats and blocking releases. “If anything happens to me, hold them responsible.”
Question: What allegations has Kwesi Arthur made against his former label Ground Up Chale?
Answer: Kwesi Arthur publicly accused Glen Boateng and Ground Up Chale of demanding $150,000 for use of his own images, threatening him and blocking independent releases since 2022.
Ghanaian rapper Kwesi Arthur just dropped one of the most serious accusations Ghana’s music industry has seen in years. On January 21, 2026, he went public with explosive claims against his former label Ground Up Chale and its CEO Glen Boateng. The allegations span threats, image ownership disputes and alleged sabotage of his career. Most alarming: he warned that if anything happens to him, Glen Boateng and Ground Up should be held responsible.
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What Happened: Kwesi Arthur Goes Public
On the evening of January 21, 2026, Kwesi Arthur shared a strongly worded statement on his verified social media accounts accusing Ground Up Chale and Glen Boateng of exploitation and threats.
The core allegations include:
The $150,000 Demand: Kwesi Arthur claims Ground Up Chale is demanding US$150,000 for him to use images of himself in an upcoming independent project, despite having no active business relationship with the label since 2022.
Image and Music Ownership Claims: Ground Up Chale is claiming ownership over his image, music, and all brand rights dating back to 2016, years after Kwesi Arthur says he ended his working relationship with them.
Zero Financial Returns: Kwesi Arthur stated he has not earned a single dime from any of his music during the years he was affiliated with the label.
Ongoing Threats: He alleged he receives constant threats and manipulation from Glen Boateng, who he describes as “living off my money and hard work.”
Career Sabotage: Kwesi Arthur claimed Glen Boateng is working around the clock to prevent him from releasing music independently and is actively blocking his projects.
The Most Alarming Warning
The statement included a chilling declaration: “If anything happens to me, Glen Boateng and all team members of Ground Up Chale are responsible and should be held responsible.”
Kwesi Arthur explained that he decided to publicly share the allegations despite his long silence because of serious concerns for his personal safety and his family’s wellbeing. “I have tried not to say anything for a long time though this has affected my wellbeing and mental health greatly, but for the safety of myself and my family I choose to publicly share the truth,” he wrote.
The Context: Years Of Tension
This is not the first time Kwesi Arthur has publicly called out Ground Up Chale. In August 2022, he sent tweets accusing the label of taking advantage of him, posting: “If I keep quiet, so many artistes in the position I was will be taken advantage of.”
According to his timeline, Kwesi Arthur formally separated from Ground Up Chale around 2022 to 2023 after the release of his debut album Son of Jacob. Since then, he has launched his own imprint, Sisi Music, and released projects through artist friendly platforms emphasizing ownership, like Even under their “Proud 2 Pay” model.
The new allegations suggest that despite this separation, Ground Up Chale has continued to claim rights over his catalogue and likeness, creating a legal limbo that has blocked him from releasing new music and using his own image for promotional purposes.
How The Industry Is Reacting
The post went viral within hours. Hashtags like #FreeKwesiArthur, #KwesiArthur, #GroundUpChale and #GlenBoateng started trending across Ghana on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and TikTok.
Fellow rapper Medikal publicly responded to Kwesi Arthur’s allegations, saying the rapper has “paid his dues” and should no longer be burdened by his former label’s claims. Many fans and industry insiders expressed shock and called for transparency and accountability from Ground Up Chale.
As of press time, Ground Up Chale and Glen Boateng have not issued a public response to the allegations.
Why This Matters: Artist Rights In Ghana’s Music Industry
Kwesi Arthur’s accusations highlight a recurring pattern in Ghana’s entertainment sector: artist label disputes involving image rights, publishing ownership and financial exploitation. The specifics of his case, demanding payment for his own images and claiming eternal rights to his likeness, raise important legal and ethical questions about how artist contracts are structured in Ghana.
Many young artists in Ghana enter record deals without proper legal counsel, sometimes signing away rights they don’t fully understand. Kwesi Arthur’s case is becoming a textbook example of why clear, transparent contracts and artist education matter.
The emotional toll he describes, mental health impact, ongoing stress and fear for his safety, also underscores how these disputes go far beyond money. They affect creators’ ability to work, innovate and earn a living on their own terms.
Key Takeaways
- Kwesi Arthur accused Ground Up Chale and CEO Glen Boateng of demanding $150,000 for use of his own images in January 2026.
- He claims the label is asserting ownership over his music, image and brand dating back to 2016, despite no active relationship since 2022.
- Kwesi Arthur says he received zero financial returns from his music during his time with the label and has faced ongoing threats and manipulation.
- He publicly warned that if anything happens to him, Glen Boateng and Ground Up should be held responsible, citing safety concerns for himself and his family.
- The case highlights recurring issues around artist label contracts, ownership rights and exploitation in Ghana’s music industry.
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