Afrobeats superstar Davido has responded to rival Wizkid’s criticism with a powerful display of professional success. The exchange, which unfolded on social media platform X on October 2, 2024, has reignited discussions about rivalry and success in the competitive world of African music.
The controversy began when Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, took to X to criticize Davido’s decision to release new music coinciding with the launch of Wizkid’s highly anticipated album, “Morayo.” In a series of posts that quickly went viral, Wizkid referred to Davido’s project as “mid” and mockingly called him “Fogido,” while also misnaming Davido’s fanbase as “30 Bingos” instead of the well-known “30BG.”
It’s like he’s trying to ride my wave,” Wizkid wrote, his words dripping with disdain. “But you can’t use talent where there is none.”
The posts immediately caught fire, with fans from both camps engaging in heated debates across various social media platforms.
As news of Wizkid’s comments spread, loyal supporters from both sides jumped into the fray. Twitter user @30BGForLife defended Davido, writing, “Wizkid is just using Davido’s name to promote his album. OBO [Davido] doesn’t need this kind of publicity!”
This accusation prompted a swift and biting response from Wizkid: “Use Davido? For what? You can’t use something that has no value.”
The exchange highlighted the intense loyalty of fan bases in the Nigerian music scene, with supporters on both sides fiercely defending their favorite artists.
While the online world was ablaze with the controversy, Davido, born David Adeleke, chose to respond in a way that spoke volumes without directly addressing the criticism. Taking to his verified X account, the “Unavailable” hitmaker announced his arrival in New York City for a major event with global sportswear brand Puma.
“Touchdown NYC !!” Davido tweeted. “Excited about tonight @puma X Davido New collection Unveiling! 👕👖🧦👟”
This strategic announcement served as a reminder of Davido’s international success and business acumen, effectively changing the narrative from one of rivalry to one of achievement.
The clash between these two Afrobeats titans has not gone unnoticed by industry experts. Music critic Oluwaseun Adebayo offered his perspective on the situation:
“What we’re seeing here is more than just a spat between two artists. It’s a reflection of the intense competition and high stakes in the Afrobeats scene. Davido’s response, focusing on his business ventures rather than engaging in a war of words, shows a level of maturity and business savvy that’s becoming increasingly important in the industry.
Davido’s announcement of the Puma collaboration is particularly significant given the brand’s history with Wizkid, who was previously a brand ambassador for the company. This fact wasn’t lost on fans and observers, with many seeing it as a subtle but powerful counterpunch to Wizkid’s criticism.
This latest exchange between Davido and Wizkid underscores the changing nature of artist rivalries in the digital age. Social media platforms like X have become battlegrounds where reputations can be made or broken in a matter of hours.
At the end of the day, this kind of publicity keeps people talking about Afrobeats. As long as the artists channel this energy into creating great music and expanding their brands globally, the genre as a whole will benefit.”
The exchange between Wizkid and Davido represents just the latest chapter in a long-standing rivalry between two of Afrobeats’ biggest stars. While Wizkid’s comments sparked controversy, Davido’s response focusing on his international success and business ventures – may have ultimately won the day.
As fans eagerly await new music from both artists, this incident serves as a reminder of the intense competition and high stakes in the world of Afrobeats. It also highlights the increasing importance of brand partnerships and global recognition in defining success in the music industry.
Whether this clash will lead to more music, more controversy, or both remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the world will be watching and listening closely to what comes next from these two Afrobeats titans.
