Ubi Franklin Explains Why He Bans Pregnancy in Female Artist Contracts

Music executive Ubi Franklin has revealed why he includes a no-pregnancy clause in contracts with female artists.

Speaking during an interview on the Culture Sonic Podcast, Franklin explained that the entertainment business demands significant financial investment, and pregnancy during the development phase can hinder an artist’s growth and financial return.

“If I’m signing a female artiste, I always put it on the contract that for the duration of the contract, you will not get pregnant,” Franklin said.

He noted that while he isn’t against women having children, timing is crucial. He believes female artists should first establish solid careers before considering motherhood, to avoid losing momentum or visibility in the industry.

“Tell me any female artist in our industry who had a baby without first building a strong career and successfully came back. It takes a lot,” he added.

Franklin stressed that breaking an artist into the mainstream can cost between ₦150 million and ₦300 million, often without any guaranteed return. According to him, the public perception of the music industry as fun or easy-going undermines the serious business behind the scenes.

“This is a business. Sometimes you can spend ₦300 million on an artist and get nothing in return,” he said.

His comments have sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising his business insight and others criticizing the clause as restrictive.