Emeka Nweze
The Nigerian music industry is one of the fastest growing in the world and with a plethora of artists rising and staking their claim, there is bound to be one or two clashes here and there.
For the past ten years there have been some minor and major moments that have made waves and sent music fans wild. These moments have created trends, buzz, arguments, disagreements and debates. From artists leaving their label to break ups, here are of the most talked about moments in Nigerian music over the past decade.
Olamide and Don Jazzy Headies drama
The Next Rated category for the Headies 2015 was a tightly contested one between Lil Kesh, Kiss Daniel, Korede Bello and Reekado Banks. All artists had indeed had impressive years and deserved he award. The award was eventually given ro Mavin’s Reekado Banks and Olamide wo owns YBNL, label Lil Kesh was signed to too exception to it
When another YBNL signee, Adekule Gold won an award for Best Alternative Song, Olamide came on stage to air his grievance, claiming that the Lil Kesh deserved the next rated category and as such any Headies won should be for Lil Kesh. Don Jazzy would eventually respond in a somewhat mockery manna, telling him to come and collect the car prize if he wants.
This sent music fans who were quick to take sides into a frenzy and created the island versus mainland beef. The whole beef was eventually squashed by billionaire Aliko Dangote.
Mo’Hits Records Breakup
In 2011, Don Jazzy was employed by Kanye West as a producer at Very Good Beatz were he worked with Jay-Z and Kanye West on the production of Lift Off, featuring Beyoncé on the album Watch The Throne. During this same period, D’banj was signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music record label as an artiste. This marked the begging of the end of Mo’Hits as after months of gossips, speculation and wild rumours, it was confirmed that Mo’Hits records had broken up.
After the break up, Don Jazzy, D’Prince, Dr SID, Wande Coal started Mavin Records while D’banj founded DB Records where he signed his younger brother Kayswitch alongside two producers, Jaysleek and Deevee .
P-Square’s numerous breakups
The twin duo have been embroiled in numerous scuffles and disagreement over the years but have managed to resolve their differences each time. However the most recent disagreement seems like the the definite end of P Square. The disagreement bordered on management and business model issues between the duo and elder brother Jude, who served as their manager. The whole episode was filled with constant blame game, insults and
Wizkid leaving EME
Wizkid’s break up with label Empire Mates Entertainment was another episode that gained huge buzz in the Nigerian music industry. According to reports, the whole fracas started in 2012 as a result money sharing issues. Wizkid was said to have been receiving only 25 percent of his earnings while the label and his management had the rest. It was said that Wizkid became uncomfortable with this arrangement and wanted a 50-50 sharing scheme. The disagreement continued into 2013, and despite claims that all had been settled between Wizkid and his estranged label, the Ojuelegba crooner will eventually leave to set up his own imprnt “Starboy Entertainment”
Wizkid and Drake
Wizkid’s 2015 collaboration with American rapper, Drake sent fans into a frenzy. In an interview, Wizkid narrated how the collaboration happened, saying “I was there and saw that Drake followed me on Instagram so I DMed him and I was like ‘Yo, I’m a big fan of your music’ and he was like I like your music as well. So we started talking and we talked about hooking up in London, so I went to London the next day and when I got there, I saw that he had already done his verse to the song, it was just funny mehn!” The Ojuelegba collaboration prompted more collaborations such as the Drake’s hugely successful One Dance and Wizkid’s Come Closer.
Davido and Wizkid 2017 beef
Arguably two of the biggest acts in Nigeria and Africa clashed in 2017 and fans were quick to blow it up, picking sides and throwing shades here and there. Apparently the beef began when Davido and his crew labeled Wizkid’s Sounds from the other side album “pon pon sound”. Wizkid was quick to respond with a tweet “U can’t hate on someone doing better than u in what u failed at! Learn and appreciate! Free ur mind from hate young kids “
The two artists traded more shades at each other both on social media and in music tracks. The beef was however squashed when Wizkid brought on Davido to the stage during his 2017 concert.
Davido’s 30 billion concert
The 30 billion concert is the biggest and most talked about concert in Nigeria. The concert had 10,000 attendees fill up the 6,000 capacity Eko Hotel hall, it trended worldwide and in Nigeria for three days straight and had countless exciting and memorable performances and moments, most especially the Mo’Hits reunion.
Naira Marley’s arrest
Following series of confrontations between Naira Marley, Simi and Ruggedman on social media over rationale behind internet fraud, Naira Marley along with Zlatan Ibile and two other guys were picked up by the EFCC. After initial questioning and investigation, Zlatan Ibile was released but Naira Marley was kept following incriminating discoveries on his laptop.
Naira Marley denied ownership of the laptop but was still charged to court. This created a division between fans of the accused and non fans as debates about the nature of the arrest and whether he should be kept in prison raged on. Several pleas were made on Naira Marley’s behalf for his release and the incident was a constant trend on social media.
Naira Marley was eventually released on bail after pleading not guilty during his court hearing.
