From unexpected call-outs to headline-grabbing feuds and a crypto scam, the landscape of Nigerian pop culture has been anything but a whirlwind of controversy in the first half of 2024. As the year breaks into its second half, here are the craziest events that have shaped the scene so far.
Teezee owed money
In January 2024, singer Prettyboy D-O accused the Native Record label boss of owing a videographer $200-$300. Although the situation got messy and turned into a back-and-forth between Prettyboy D-O and OdumoduBlvck on X, Teezee never addressed the issue.
Portable became a Spiderman
It’s wild to think that after making music and shooting a video with Skepta in London, Portable was back in the country getting in trouble. Portable flew over the gate to escape the police’s arrest over a debt case. He even made a song titled Spiderman out of the situation.
If you see your future in jumping fences, the viral Portable’s video should be a top watch.
Bobrisky’s imprisonment
On April 3, popular socialite Bobrisky was arrested for mutilating some naira notes, AKA spraying money. By April 12th, she was sentenced to six months in jail without an option of a fine. October is so far away, please return our “Mummy of Laygus.”
Davido on his knees begging
After a photo of Davido and a US model known as “pinknative” on IG went viral, the lady grew uncomfortable with the harsh comments. She retaliated with a funny and weird video of Davido on his knees. He was begging for what some online users thought was sex. It’s all speculation, and we don’t know what happened. But it has served the public as a meme.
Wizkid and Davido beef
Even Wizkid posted that Davido’s video to troll Davido during their back-and-forth on X. Davido suggested that Wiz is a sick man after Wiz called an unnamed songwriter of Davido a pant washer and bragged they couldn’t match him musically. I thought they would finally have their Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake moment, but they fumbled it. It’s only banger tweets they have.
Don Jazzy is an “influencer”
Wizkid possibly tweets according to the strain he’s smoking. In June 2024, he called Don Jazzy an amazing human. But less than a month before then, he was a banger boy on X who delighted his Wizkid FC with a mockery attempt at Don Jazzy.
An overzealous fan tagged Wizkid to reply to Ladipoe trolling Afropop artists for going through a hit recession in H1. Wiz replied with a shot at Don Jazzy, saying he’s “never chatting to anyone signed to an influencer.” The public, in turn, praised Don Jazzy and listed out his impacts and achievements.
Portable vs. Zlatan Ibile
A video of an angry Portable ranting that Zlatan told him to behave and not act dramatically around Davido during a dinner went viral. Portable felt offended and warned Zlatan not to mess with him or speak to him like a kid.
Davido’s crypto scam
As if the Racketerli business Davido endorsed in 2019 didn’t hurt people enough, he recently promoted a cryptocurrency meme coin called $DAVIDO, which severely dipped without 24 hours of launch. Immediately, Nigeria’s Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC) flagged it as a “rug pull” and issued a disclaimer to alert investors about the coin. This situation would make part of the public wonder if he needed money for his concluded wedding.
