Saturday Beats takes a look at the conflicts between musicians
Ruger and Bnxn
Singers, Michael Olayinka, aka Ruger; and Daniel Benson, aka Bnxn (formerly Buju); There are two prominent acts in the music industry at the moment. In 2022, both had hit songs that did well on the music charts.
However, in July it was revealed that their relationship was not so pleasant. During a Q&A he hosted on Twitter, a follower told Ruger that Bnxn was much better than him.
Responding, Ruger wrote: “I love Buju; it’s good But, he is not better than me. All my hits are just Ruger (only mine). I’m always proud to go on stage around the world with my songs and everyone is singing along. Do you see the difference?”
Meanwhile, another artiste, Stanley Didia aka Omah Lay, took to his Twitter page apparently in support of Bnxn. He wrote: “Ruger is willing (intended) to talk about Bnxn like this on this app. They will do anything for strength here. (So was) Victony the other time (laughs out loud) at my tweet. You all really are kids.”
In a radio interview shortly thereafter, Bnxn stated that he had more money and enjoyed more creative freedom. He also mentioned that he had never intended to answer Ruger until he got a call from Timaya, who was livid for being disrespectful (to him).
Plenty of portable battles
In the past year, one artist who has been in the news for the wrong reasons is none other than Habib Okikiola, aka Portable.
Recall that the singer rose to fame in the latter part of 2021, all thanks to his song ‘Zazu Zeh’ featuring Olamide Adedeji aka Olamide; and Iwe Pascal (Poco Lee).
However, as soon as he entered the light, he began to have fights in all directions. He blamed two managers of the music promoters he worked with: Olasunkanmi Taoreed (Kogbagidi) and Adepitan Yusuf (Danku). Poco Lee also alleged that Wizkid robbed the pop star of the money he sprayed while performing at his show.
The singer was invited by the immediate governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, to perform at a campaign rally on the platform of the All Progressive Congress. However, not long after, Portable claimed he didn’t know he was going to a campaign rally. He stated that he was only invited to perform his song. In a video that went viral at the time, he claimed that the party/governor was yet to pay his balance. Days later he came out to deny the APC/governor that he got the money for the rally.
That was when the singer was called by the police after he was said on social media to be the founder of a dreaded Lagos gang ‘One Million Boys’. After accepting the invitation, the singer went back on his words, saying he meant one million fans.
Not one to guard his statements, the singer also got kicked out of Headies 2022. This was after death threats were made against the organizer and any other person who won a prize. He was nominated for the ‘Rookie of the Year’ and ‘Best Street Hop’ awards.
He said on Instagram: “These are my prizes. Anyone else who wins, I will ask them to die. I will ask them to kill the person. If the organizers give my prize to someone else, they will die.”
Although he later apologized to the organizers of the award, in the end his nominations were withdrawn.
After the award held in the United States of America, where rapper Goya Menor won the award for ‘Best Street Artist’, Portable blasted him on social media, claiming that he was more popular than him.
On several occasions, the self-acclaimed ‘were oloni’ (crazy singer) has been seen taking the law into his hands. At different times, he and others beat up his friend and former colleague, Abiodun Ademola aka DJ Chicken; as well as an artist signed to his label, Mannie Money. He recorded all the attacks and posted their videos on social media.
Wizkid and the rappers
When an artist of the caliber of Ayo Balogun, aka Wizkid, says something; other artists and influencers in the industry pay attention.
A few weeks ago, when he said that he thought rap was dead, it caused a series of reactions from various people in the industry.
In an interview with British luxury quarterly publication 10 Magazine, the ‘Ojuelegba’ singer revealed that he no longer listens to rap music; Describing her as “dead”, “dead” and “tired”.
The statement received some reactions from rappers; but instead of cowering, Wizkid took more ‘shots’ on social media, referring to the rapper as a broken boy.
He wrote: “(I) can’t believe you broke up guys thought Big Wiz would talk about you guys. Wow! Y’all ain’t even rappers! Nasty C, Sarkodie and Black Sherif are the only rappers in Africa.”
However, Jude Abaga aka MI took to social media to state that rap may not be where it should be but it was still on the rise. He also listed some rappers he thought were doing well.
MI also reminded Wizkid how the rap genre gave him a platform in the early days of his career. In 2008, MI featured a then-unknown Wizkid on his song, ‘Fast Money, Fast Cars’ from his ‘Talk about It’ album.
