Controversial rapper and social media personality Speed Darlington, also known as Akpi, has publicly expressed regret over his past social media engagements with Afrobeats superstar Davido, suggesting his attention would have been better directed towards Burna Boy.
The self-proclaimed “Bang Bang Master” made these revelations in a recent TikTok video that has since gained significant traction across social media platforms. In the candid recording, Speed Darlington, whose real name is Darlington Okoye, reflected on his previous online interactions, particularly his one-sided confrontations with Davido, which largely went unacknowledged by the “Unavailable” hitmaker.
While Davido was minding his own business, I was looking for trouble. I should have focused all that energy on Burna Boy,” Speed Darlington admitted in the video, marking a notable shift in his social media strategy. This admission comes in the wake of his recent release of “Baby Oil,” a diss track specifically targeting Burna Boy, which has stirred considerable controversy in the Nigerian music scene.
The timing of Speed Darlington’s statement is particularly interesting, considering his recent history with Burna Boy. Unlike Davido’s approach of maintaining silence, Burna Boy had reportedly taken legal action against Speed Darlington following a series of provocative remarks. This contrast in responses from the two Afrobeats giants appears to have influenced Speed Darlington’s perspective on his past social media behaviors.
The situation has sparked widespread discussion within the Nigerian entertainment community, with fans and critics alike weighing in on Speed Darlington’s latest statements. Social media has been buzzing with various reactions, ranging from amusement to criticism of his apparent clout-chasing tactics. One user, @Party with Oshowaya, humorously commented, “BURNABOY will be like ‘what have I gotten myself into,'” while another user, @nnennamusik_, directly called out the rapper’s intentions, stating, “So Akpi just dey chase Clout.
@20takeoff #fypppp #fyppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp #trendingvideo #portablefan #goviral #imostate #philippinestiktok #speeddarlingtontv #nigeriantiktok🇳🇬 #fypppppppppppppp #fyn #newtiktoker #imostatetikktoker💗 #owerritiktokers❤️❤️ #davido #davidofans ♬ original sound – Moscow
Speed Darlington’s evolving approach to publicity and artist interactions has become a talking point in the industry, with some observers noting his persistent attempts to engage with Nigeria’s biggest music stars. The rapper, often referred to as one of Nigeria’s most enduring upcoming artists, has maintained a consistent presence in the entertainment scene through his unconventional approaches to gaining attention and maintaining relevance.
Industry watchers have noted that while Speed Darlington’s methods may be unorthodox, they have successfully kept him in the public eye. His latest pivot from targeting Davido to focusing on Burna Boy demonstrates a calculated approach to maintaining his visibility in the highly competitive Nigerian music industry. As @opike observed in their comment, “akpi don use burna boy trend like mad,” highlighting the strategic nature of his public statements.
The situation raises interesting questions about the nature of celebrity interactions in the age of social media, where attention and engagement often translate into currency for artists. While some fans appreciate Speed Darlington’s candid admission about his past behavior, others, like @JEFFKENNEDY, suggest that he should focus more on his musical output, advising him to “think and release better hit upgrade yourself.”
As this story continues to develop, it serves as a fascinating case study in how social media strategy and celebrity interactions can shape an artist’s public persona and career trajectory. Whether Speed Darlington’s latest approach will yield the desired results remains to be seen, but his honest admission about his past social media behavior has certainly succeeded in keeping him in the conversation within Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment landscape.
For now, the entertainment industry watches with interest as this latest chapter in Speed Darlington’s career unfolds, particularly in light of his newfound focus on Burna Boy, who has already demonstrated a more direct approach to handling provocations compared to Davido’s strategy of non-engagement.
