Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar Wizkid has stirred the music industry’s waters once again with a provocative declaration about his plans for 2024, marking what appears to be a continuation of the ongoing tensions within the Afrobeats scene. The “Essence” hitmaker took to social media with a series of bold statements that have sparked widespread reaction across the entertainment landscape.
In a now-deleted tweet that captured significant attention, Wizkid proclaimed “2024! Death of the opps!” Following this with another message, he taunted his critics with the question “E shock u?” before declaring his intention to “Bury them with success. Biggest.” These statements have reignited discussions about the competitive nature of Nigeria’s music industry and Wizkid’s position within it.
The artist’s provocative declarations have drawn mixed reactions from fans and observers, with many commenting on the recurring pattern of confrontational statements. Social media users have been particularly vocal, with some expressing concern about the artist’s approach to industry relationships. One user, Wallpaper Place, offered a thoughtful perspective: “Competition can be draining, it just makes you not lose focus on your own craft or growth.
This latest episode follows a pattern of public statements from Wizkid that have increasingly drawn attention to industry rivalries, particularly his long-standing tension with fellow superstar Davido. The relationship between these two titans of Afrobeats has been marked by periodic conflicts, with a significant escalation occurring in October when Wizkid engaged in an extensive social media campaign targeting Davido.
During that October incident, Wizkid made several controversial claims, including declaring himself “the biggest artist in the world” and making various assertions about Davido’s career and entourage. The conflict reached a particular intensity when Wizkid questioned multiple aspects of his rival’s success, including musical achievement, fashion sense, and financial status.
The history between these two artists runs deep, with their most recent major confrontation taking place in April. That incident involved the circulation of controversial personal content and resulted in serious allegations from both parties, including claims of domestic abuse and inappropriate behavior, highlighting the increasingly personal nature of their rivalry.
Wizkid saying “Death of the Opps” is wrong in every sense of the word; Let’s imagine if one of his oppositions gets harmed, rumors will run wide & his statement can be used against him unfairly. Can’t believe some persons are trying to defend this. The fact that many artistes say…
— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) November 17, 2024
Industry observers have noted how these recurring conflicts reflect broader tensions within the Nigerian music industry, where competition for dominance in the growing global Afrobeats market has intensified. Some fans have expressed frustration with the ongoing nature of these conflicts, with one social media user, Shile.gram, lamenting Wizkid’s transition “from being an Afrobeat legend to a nuisance.
The timing of Wizkid’s latest declarations is particularly significant as the industry enters a new year, with many artists preparing to release new material and compete for dominance in an increasingly global market. His aggressive stance suggests that 2024 might see an escalation in the competitive dynamics of Nigerian music, particularly in the international arena where both he and his rivals have established significant presences.
Critics of the situation have pointed out the potential impact of such public conflicts on the broader Afrobeats movement, with some suggesting that these rivalries might distract from the music itself. As one social media commenter noted, “All this energy for one person you claim to hate. You truly see him as a competition.”
As the industry watches these developments unfold, questions remain about how this declared competitive stance will manifest in Wizkid’s musical output and professional decisions throughout 2024. With the artist’s track record of backing up bold statements with significant achievements, many are anticipating how he plans to translate these provocative declarations into tangible success.
For now, the industry and fans alike wait to see how this latest chapter in Nigerian music’s most talked-about rivalry will unfold, and whether 2024 will indeed prove to be the transformative year that Wizkid has boldly predicted.
