Former Big Brother Naija contestant Kess Adjekpovu has found himself at the center of a social media storm following his controversial comments about Wizkid’s latest album ‘Morayo,’ igniting fierce debate among Nigerian music fans and highlighting the passionate defense of the superstar’s dedicated fanbase.
The controversy began when Kess shared his initial reaction to Wizkid’s tribute album to his late mother on X (formerly Twitter), stating that he “fell asleep” while attempting to listen to the album. His follow-up post, suggesting that the album “still never sweet me” and expressing doubt about it growing on him, further fueled the backlash from Wizkid’s devoted followers.
Morayo,’ released on November 22, 2024, represents a significant milestone in Wizkid’s career, featuring 16 tracks and collaborations with international artists including Brent Faiyaz and Jazmine Sullivan, alongside Nigerian sensation Asake. The album also notably includes an introduction by legendary Nigerian musician K1 De Ultimate, adding to its cultural significance.
The reality TV star’s criticism has been met with swift and fierce responses from Wizkid’s fans, commonly known as FC (Wizkid FC), who questioned both his musical taste and his relevance in the entertainment industry. Several social media users pointed to Kess’s relatively brief stint in the spotlight as a Big Brother Naija contestant, with one fan remarking, “Who is this forgotten big brother housemate???? Person wey go waste bbn slot sef dey talk.
UP AND GRATEFUL.
MORAYO STILL NEVER SWEET ME.I guess it can’t grow on me.
— Sir Kess 🤍🤍 (@Kess_Adjekpovu) November 26, 2024
Some defenders of Wizkid’s work offered more measured responses, emphasizing the album’s artistic merit. One particularly detailed response highlighted the album’s sophisticated production and artistic vision: “Wizkid has left normal music for normal musicians. This guy is on a different level, and it’s not even hype, it’s reality. From the production to the vocals… you just know man just wanted to make music not just to drop song.”
The controversy has also led to personal attacks on Kess, with some users bringing up past controversies from his time on Big Brother Naija, demonstrating how criticism of beloved artists can quickly escalate into broader personal attacks in today’s social media landscape.
The backlash against Kess reveals the intense loyalty of Wizkid’s fanbase and their readiness to defend the artist’s work. Several comments highlighted the album’s commercial success and critical acclaim, pointing to its strong performance on streaming platforms as evidence of its quality, with fans arguing that an album’s commercial success validates its artistic merit.
This incident reflects a broader trend in Nigerian music culture, where criticism of major artists often leads to intense social media reactions. It also highlights the complex relationship between reality TV fame and social media influence, as well as the risks associated with publicly criticizing established artists with dedicated fan bases.
The situation has sparked discussions about music criticism in the social media age, where personal opinions can quickly lead to widespread backlash and where the line between constructive criticism and attention-seeking behavior is often debated by fans and observers alike.
As ‘Morayo’ continues to gather acclaim and streams globally, this incident serves as a reminder of the passionate fan culture surrounding Nigerian music and the potential consequences of publicly criticizing beloved artists in the age of social media. The debate also underscores the album’s significance as more than just a collection of songs, but as a deeply personal tribute that has resonated with fans while pushing artistic boundaries.
