Former TV3 Mentor star says blocked opportunities at Slip Music cost him vital growth; Label yet to respond
In a candid and emotionally charged interview, budding Ghanaian musician Okuraseni Samuel has launched a scathing attack on celebrated entertainment executive Mark Okraku-Mantey, accusing him of deliberately sabotaging his music career at a critical juncture.
Speaking exclusively to Ogidi Brown on Nhyira FM’s Entertainment Power Show, Okuraseni revealed that he had secured multiple lucrative performance opportunities in Europe following his stint on the popular TV3 Mentor reality show. However, he claims these life-changing deals were blocked by Okraku-Mantey out of fear that he would exit his contract with Slip Music.
According to the artiste, the executive’s actions were driven by selfish interests rather than the growth of the talent under his tutelage.
“I had the chance to go to Europe and perform, but Mark blocked it. He was afraid that if I went, I would realize my worth and leave the label,” Okuraseni alleged during the interview.
The musician contends that those missed opportunities have had a permanent, “lasting impact” on his trajectory in the competitive industry. He insists that with the exposure and financial benefits those tours would have provided, he could have been much further along in his life and career.
As of the time of this publication, Mark Okraku-Mantey and management of Slip Music have not issued an official response to the allegations.
This controversy adds to a long history of public fallouts between Ghanaian artistes and their management teams. Similar disputes have recently dominated headlines, including the ongoing legal battle between rapper Kwesi Arthur and his former label, Ground Up Chale, which escalated into a GHS 10 million defamation lawsuit . Other notable cases include Fameye’s publicized exit from OGB Music under Ogidi Brown, as well as splits involving Kelvynboy and Burniton Music Group .
These recurring incidents have reignited industry conversations regarding the fairness of record deals and the balance of power between artistes and management in Ghana.
