On April 17, NO:EL addressed the heated debate via social media, choosing a measured tone amid rising tensions.
“For those asking whether I’m taking sides… I’ll just say one thing,” he wrote, criticizing those fueling the controversy for “cheap dopamine.”
He highlighted a unique aspect of his experience under Swings’ label: “It’s very unusual for a company to provide lifetime settlements. Most contracts only last 2–3 years after termination. I’ve always been grateful to Swings for that.”
NO:EL emphasized that workplace dissatisfaction is normal but maintained respect for his former label head, adding that many artists including those who left remain meaningful figures in his life.
He concluded with a message urging calm: “I hope everyone stops fighting. This is the best I can do.”
In contrast, Giriboy offered a more conflicted and emotional perspective regarding the sale of neighboring rights a key issue raised in BIG Naughty’s diss track.
Reflecting on his decade-long career at Just Music, he shared: “The songs listed in my settlement statements were everything I built over time. They gave me motivation and satisfaction.”
However, when the decision to sell those rights emerged, he admitted feeling shocked: “I was stunned when I heard everything would be sold overnight. It wasn’t discussed just once, but twice. I even sought legal advice because I didn’t want to sell.”
Ultimately, Giriboy agreed but not without lingering regret: “If I could go back, I wouldn’t sell them. That’s how important those songs are to me.”
Despite his disappointment, Giriboy acknowledged that time has changed his perspective: “As I got older, I began to understand his situation. There must have been reasons he had no choice.”
Still, he expressed frustration over Swings’ recent stance: “I thought he felt sorry, but it seems like he’s thinking, ‘You got paid, so what’s the problem?’ That caught me off guard.”
Shortly after posting his statement, Giriboy deleted his social media account, further intensifying public curiosity.
The controversy began when BIG Naughty released a diss track accusing Swings of selling artists’ neighboring rights to repay debts and allegedly using funds for personal purposes. He also raised claims of conflict and misconduct.
In response, Swings admitted to the sale but defended the decision as necessary during financial hardship, stating it was made through mutual agreement to protect artists’ earnings. He emphasized that profits were distributed fairly and questioned critics by pointing to artists like NO:EL who renewed contracts.
With NO:EL expressing gratitude and Giriboy revealing regret, the situation highlights the complexity behind artist-label relationships in the Korean hip-hop industry.
Rather than a single narrative, the controversy continues to expose layered experiences where business decisions, personal emotions, and long-term relationships collide.
Sources: SPOTV News,JoyNews24
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