There is a general saying that music careers thrive with some elements of controversy, not only in Nigeria but all over the world, artistes tend to pull stunts that will make them talk of the town before or after they drop that hit so everything will sync and they become big. Some will even say there is no bad publicity stunt, they go as far as faking arrests, deaths, rapes and other unthinkable acts just to create more buzz both online and are offline. Check out a list of Nigeria's top controversial music stars below.
There’s no how one will discuss music and controversy in Nigeria and one won’t trace it to the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti aka Baba 70, the legendary Fela in his time not only tackle fellow artistes but Government of the day, the likes of Olusegun Obasanjo and President Buhari are a living testimony of Fela’s numerous lyrical attacks, Fela is not even on the same lane with the contemporary music stars.
Then Eedriz Abdulkareem became the closest to Fela Kuti in terms of lyrical attacks on government of the day when he released “Jaga Jaga” track, he got a reaction from the then President Obasanjo who replied him that ‘your papa jagajaga’. Eedris controversies are more of sacrifices, fights and waves paving for the contemporary music, Eedris grabbed headlines again after his encounter with American rapper 50 Cent, a scenario many thought led to his career decline.
Eedriz is a no nonsense artiste and he is doing most of his controversies not just to get popularity but to fight a cause, he could have been madder if he had come in this social media era.
Wizkid: Ayo Balogun popularly known as Wizkid is arguably Nigeria’s biggest artiste at the moment, his youthful career that has span more than a decade has won him several awards both locally and internationally, but hey, Wizzy is not a cool guy, the Starboy seems untouchable because his numerous controversies with fellow celebrities, bloggers/media companies, baby mamas is enough to ruin a buzzing career but Wizzy is just getting stronger and better.
Notable among Wizkid’s biggest controversies was when he blasted BET Awards organizers after winning Best International Artiste Africa in 2017, the organizers usually gives the award at backstage and Wizzy did not turn up to receive his plaque insisting “these awards organizers need to respect Africa” a move that paid of the following year Davido won, he received his award during the main show.
In the early years of Wizkid, he is known for clap backs on social media, we can still remember the hashtags, WizkidvsSkales, WizkidvsLindaIkeji, WizkidvsDavido (the never ending comparison), WizkidvsSholaOgudugu and numerous others. But the Starboy is more laid back now, no matter the amount of calling out on social media Wizkid will not react and leave the WizkidFC to fight back, a good move? Yes, he has built a what can be called the most dedicated and loyal fanbase, Team Wizkid doesn’t joke with him and come for anyone who attempt to touch their Starboy,
Burnaboy: followed closely to Wizkid is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu popularly known as Burnaboy, another artistes that doesn’t forgive easily and go all out for a revenge, the BurnaboyVsMr2Kay still lingers in our memory, Burna allegedly sent people to beat up fellow artiste Mr2Kay in his hotel room, the ugly scene led to many arrests.
Burna his known for his hardheadedness, the no nonsense star did a Wizkid when he hit out at Coachella organizers for writing his name in small letter. Burna hardly grant media interviews, but has genuine love for his fans.
Skiibii: We won’t forget Abbey Elias popularly known as Skiibii in a while, he orchestrated what could be called the weirdest publicity stunt in the history of the Nigeria’s pop culture, Skiibii Mayana during his 5Star music days allegedly faked his own death. Condolence messages was flying everywhere and alas, Skiibii is alive and healthy, many blasted him for going too extreme other felt it worked for his career, wherever you belong, the bottom line is, Skiibii is now a star and That’s how star do.
Naira Marley: Afeez Fashola aka Naira Marley is the latest king of controversies, he doesn’t take criticism easy with anyone no matter your age and experience he will come for you and clap back in a very rude manner. hence is fanbase name ‘No Mannaz’.
Naira Marley rise to fame started when sold himself to the industry as that spoilt child that lacks manners, with vulgar lyrics and throwing his support behind cyber-crime, popularly called yahoo yahoo.
Because of the yahoo yahoo incident, Naira Marley had a face off with Tunde Ednut, Ruggedman, Simi and many others, calling out these colleagues all sort of names and eventually released a track solely meant to eulogies the crime title, ‘I’m A Yahoo Boy? featuring Zlatan Ibile.
This track led to his arrest with Zlatan and three other guys by the EFCC for crime related offences. Zlatan and the rest were released a few days after but Naira Marley remained in detention and went to court before being granted bail.
When he left detention he dropped another controversial track titled Soapy, which glorifies masturbation and accompany it with a dance, a dance celebrity dancer, Kaffy blasted as immoral, but Naira Marley did not spare Kaffy as he gave her the clap back of her life.
Is it that artistes cannot thrive without controversy? Who is your biggest controversial artiste? Lets get talking.
You Must logged in to add comments. Login
