Nigerian artiste manager Ubi Franklin has disclosed that his record label includes a “no-pregnancy clause” in contracts signed with female artistes.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Culture Sonic Podcast, the Made Men Music Group (Triple MG) founder explained that pregnancy can interrupt the career trajectory of up-and-coming artistes, making it challenging for them to regain momentum without a solid fan base.
“Imagine you’re investing in a female artist and she gets pregnant, that’s it, it’s over,” Franklin said.
“It takes a lot for artists to make a comeback. Tell me one female artist in our industry who hasn’t already built a strong career, had a baby, and then come back. It’s not easy.
“I’m not saying they shouldn’t have children. But the point is, while you’re active, build a solid career first.
“If I’m signing a female artist, I always include it in the contract: during the contract period, you must not get pregnant.”
Franklin, whose label has managed stars like Tekno, Iyanya, and Selebobo, emphasised that the music industry demands massive financial commitments with no guaranteed returns.
“This is a freaking business. We need to stop acting like, because artists seem playful on social media and fans can interact with them, it’s not serious, it is serious,” he added.
“These days, to break an artist, you can spend ₦150 million and still not be halfway there. Sometimes, you spend ₦300 million and don’t get anything in return.”
