The Nigerian music industry, celebrated globally for its vibrant Afro-beat sounds and influential artists, is currently enmeshed in a series of public feuds and lyrical battles. KEHINDE OSASONA in this report revisits the scenario.
Lyrical feuds, ego fights
At the forefront of the current discord are Starboy Ayodeji Ibrahim (Wizkid), Damini Ogulu (Burnaboy) and David Adeleke (Davido) popularly known as OBO are arguably the three giants trending heavily on the music scene in Nigeria, Africa, America and outside it, while others follow.
Before now, their long-standing rivalry has not only dominated headlines but also sparked divisions within the industry. Aside ‘diss’ songs, their intermittent clashes have led to a show of who can out class who at social gatherings and clubs both within and outside the country.
Aside lyrical battle, their swanky lifestyle mostly showcased on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media space has kept tongues wagging and they would stop at nothing to display their opulence and riches like newly acquired Jets, expensive clothings and jewelries, latest machines and exotic cars among others.
While Wizkid acquired a new $100 million private jet, Davido about the same time acquired a Bombardier 7500 tear rubber $78 million private jet as a new addition to his lifestyle.
On its part, Burnaboy, another rival artiste, gifted himself a new Ferrari 488 spider car worth millions of dollars.
No doubt, the messy fights and lyrical jabs have impacted the music scene negatively so much that it has started influencing both the artists and their fan base, who had already taken sides.
Another instance was when the trio of Wizkid, Davido and Burna boy took their rivalry to the popular O2 Arena, a large entertainment district on the Peninsula in South East London, England to test their popularity and see who tops Spotify or has more support base outside the shore of Nigeria.
The most interesting thing about the whole scenario is that they have all at one time or another sold out at O2 to the admiration of their girlfriends, baby mammas, crew, record labels and die-hard fans.
While some are on international labels, others had at one time or another had ‘collabo’ with international super stars.
Blueprint Weekend recalled that Wizkid once featured in American Superstar Drake hit song, just as Davido has also featured Chris Brown, another American super star in his song as well as Burnaboy.
More revealing was the fact that they have all dropped hit songs back to back with huge followership and have continued to smile to banks via various endorsements deals they received and other royalties attached.
The genesis
The rivalry between Wizkid and Davido for instance, two of Nigeria’s most successful musicians dates back to the early 2010s.
Both artists rose to prominence around the same time, with Wizkid debuting with hits like “Holla at Your Boy” and Davido with “Dami Duro.” Their individual successes naturally led to comparisons and competition, which gradually escalated into open hostility.
Public spats on social media, unconscious disses in songs, and tense encounters at award shows have characterized their relationship.
Fans for Wizzy often referred to themselves as “Wizkid FC” and “30 Billion Gang” for Davido respectively, a situation that has further fueled the fire with intense loyalty and online skirmishes.
Impact on industry
The feud between these superstars has ultimately created a divisive atmosphere within the industry. Rather than fostering collaboration and unity, the music scene is often split into camps. This division has also limited their potential for collaborative projects that could elevate the genre further.
In the same vein, the constant drama had all along generated not only negative publicity, overshadowing the artists’ musical achievements, it has regrettably made bad headlines which are often dominated by their conflicts rather than their contributions to the Afro-beat genre, which diminishes the industry’s global appeal.
Sadly too, upcoming artists often feel compelled to align with one camp, stifling their independence and creativity. This polarising environment discourages new talent from freely expressing themselves and collaborating across divides.
According to music enthusiasts, the lyrical jabs exchanged in songs has in some cases reduced the quality of their music. Instead of focusing on innovation and artistic growth, they channel their energy into crafting disses, which can lead to repetitive and uninspired content.
Burna vs Davido
Burnaboy, another global Afro-beat sensation, has also been embroiled in conflicts, particularly with Davido. Their feud, marked by social media exchanges and lyrical jabs, further illustrates the pervasive competitive tension within the industry.
Tiwa vs Yemi Alade
Fights and ongoing rivalry between Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade, have also emerged, contributing to the overall atmosphere of discord. These conflicts often play out publicly, with fans and media outlets amplifying the tensions.
BNXN, Rugger, AyraStar
Just recently too, Nigerian singer, Daniel Benson, popularly known as BNXN, warned his fans to stop the comparisons between him and some of his colleagues on social media.
BNXN was recently compared with Grammy-nominated colleague, Ayra Starr, by his fans on X platform. Reacting via his X handle, the music star warned fans to stop pitching him against his friends.
He wrote, “Stop pitching me against my friends for entertainment.”
In another post, BNXN said: “Pure heart. I’m happy for people and I wait for my turn.”
It would be recalled that BNXN had recently squashed his beef with Ruger and released a project with him titled ‘R&B.’
Baddoo, Don Jazzy, Wizkid
In the early morning of April 29, 2024, Wizkid took to his X account to engage his fans and his attention was drawn to a post where Ladipoe said Afrobeats is going through its “Afrobeats is dead” phase after Hip Hop survived the “Hip hop is dead” narrative which Wizkid contributed to.
Wizkid replied that he’s never chatted to any artist signed by an influencer in a statement that attempted to mock Mavin Record’s label boss Don Jazzy as an influencer.
Wizkid’s statement drew reactions as many observers didn’t take favourably to him calling Don Jazzy an influencer.
Jazzy, known for promoting artists and content creators on his Instagram page, also doubles as a label boss with unprecedented feats.
Before that, the same Don Jazzy had clashed with Olamide popularly known as Badoo.
But for the intervention of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, both label bosses almost turned it into a ‘roforofo’ fight.
The epic rivalry between the biggest label giants in the industry, YBNL and Mavin was triggered by a musical award which both camps are laying claim to.
Portable vs Poco Lee
Until recently, a controversial artist, Habib Okikiola, aka Portable and Poco Lee, a dancer and free stylist were not on talking terms.
Portable, who is currently in police net over G-Wagon debt rose to fame in the latter part of 2021 via his song ‘Zazu Zeh’, featuring Olamide Adedeji, aka Olamide; and Iwe Pascal (Poco Lee).
But no sooner had he stepped into the limelight that he started fighting his fellow artistes.
DJ Cuppy vs Zlatan Ibile
Popular singer, Zlatan Ibile and DJ Cuppy were not ‘cool’ with each other at the time despite having a hit song, Gelato, together.
It started when the disc jockey took to her social media page to inform her fans that Zlatan had blocked her on WhatsApp and Instagram.
She tweeted, “10 months later and I sometimes still wonder why Zlatan Ibile blocked me on WhatsApp and Instagram without ever saying why; we were actually friends and “Gelato” was a hit!”
The Zanku singer did not respond to her viral tweet till he was interviewed on a show, The Switch, where he denied knowing DJ Cuppy.
Findings later indicated that Cuppy owed Zlatan some money after the Gelato collabo and other tours and refused to pay.
Some Zlatan fans took turns to blast Cuppy, saying despite his father’s riches, she could still be owing a fellow artiste performance and collabo fees.
As part of diss back, Zlatan had in a track titled ‘Lagos Anthem’ slighted Cuppy, saying: “I wan blow, e no sabi sing”
Profering a way forward, music enthusiast Jane Adenekan said the choice between unity and division will shape the music industry future in Nigeria.
“By prioritising collaboration, focusing on musical excellence, and fostering a supportive environment, the industry can transcend these conflicts and continue to thrive on the global stage.
“The time has come for the music to take center stage once again, free from the shadows of rivalry and discord.”