‘Rap is dead’ - Wizkid emphasises despite Nigerian rappers’ outburst

Nigerian music superstar, Ayo Balogun fondly known as Wizkid, has reiterated a comment he made early in the week that the rap genre is dead and it bores him.

In an interview with 10 Magazine, published on Thursday, the singer said, “Afrobeats is the new pop. I sold two million copies in America off of one song! Even some American artists don’t have a diamond record.

“If I’m being honest, I don’t listen to any other genre of music anymore. I don’t listen to rap – that sh*t is boring to me. It’s dead now, it’s tired. These guys do the same shit, rap on the same beats and the same flows.”

However, the views of the multiple award-winning artiste did not sit well with Nigerian rap artistes who took to their various social media accounts to air their opinion.

While reacting to Wizkid’s comment, iconic Nigerian rap artiste, MI Abaga via his verified Twitter account on Friday reeled out a list of Nigerian rap artistes doing well in the music industry. He mentioned the likes of Vector, Falz, Ladipoe, Erriga, among others.

The rapper further urged his colleagues to focus on their craft. “The energy around hip-hop right now feels right.. I know most rappers are still not the most popular yet.. but right now is time for us to focus on the craft.. just keep getting better.. this year we did so well as a genre and next year we grow!!!!” he tweeted.

Another rap artiste, Oladips, while freestyling to the beat of American rapper, Kanye West’s ‘Good Morning’ song, took shots at the afrobeats superstar for uttering disappointing remarks about rappers whereas, he failed to contribute to the growth of fellow Nigerian rappers.

Oladips referenced one of Wizkid’s signees, Terri by describing his musical career growth as being stunted.

Also, taking to his Twitter account, popularly Nigerian artiste fondly known as YCee, noted that Wizkid’s comment was unwarranted as rappers are trying to make it in an industry that does not favour them.

He tweeted, “The thing wey Wiz dey do no make sense. Rappers work so hard in an industry that does not even favour them. No funding, no support, no nothing. And you wanna make fun of that? Nah G. That’s not it.”(sic)

Despite the outburst by Nigerian rap artistes, the Grammy award-winning artiste took to his Snapchat account to double down on his statement.

Wizkid via the platform noted that the rap artistes he recognizes in Africa are South Africa’s Nasty C; Ghana’s Black Sherif; as well as Ghana’s Sarkodie.

Moreso, Wizkid labelled the rap artistes as ‘broke boys’ as he wrote via his Snapchat account, “Broke boys, can’t believe y’all broke boys really thought Big Wiz will talk about y’all. Wow. Y’all not even rappers! Nasty C, Sarkodie, Black Sherif, the only rappers in Africa. Y’all dumb.”(sic)