Global rap superstar Nicki Minaj has appealed to her followers to show greater understanding and support for Nigerian artists, saying fans should approach issues involving entertainers with “wisdom and compassion.”
In a post on X.com on Thursday, Minaj encouraged her global fanbase to avoid quick judgment and instead try to understand the circumstances surrounding artists’ decisions. Her message comes at a time when several Nigerian musicians have faced online criticism over industry disputes, delayed releases and controversy-driven debates.
“My darlings, let’s utilize wisdom & compassion as it relates to our Nigerian artists,” she wrote. “There are very logical reasons for most things when we look not to judge, but to comprehend. That goes for every country & their artists. Let’s lift them up & continue to use wisdom.”
Minaj’s comments sparked widespread reactions among Nigerian music fans, many of whom praised her for acknowledging the pressures artists face and for calling for a more supportive global entertainment culture. The rapper has maintained strong ties with the Nigerian music scene over the years, collaborating with Afrobeats acts and frequently engaging with fans across Africa.
Her message adds to ongoing conversations about mental health, pressure and public expectations within the fast-growing Nigerian music industry.
Recent Criticisms of Nigerian Artists
In the context of Nicki Minaj’s call for compassion toward Nigerian artists, the wave of online backlash in November 2025 has largely targeted high-profile figures in the Afrobeats scene. Fans and critics have accused several artists of arrogance, poor fan treatment, and controversial statements, often amplified by social media tribalism and economic pressures on the industry (e.g., high ticket prices and canceled shows). Below are specific examples drawn from recent reports and discussions:
- Burna Boy (Damini Ogulu) – Accusations of Arrogance and Fan Disrespect
Incident: Burna Boy faced intense backlash after jokingly stating in an interview that he prefers “only rich fans,” which fans interpreted as elitist and ungrateful. This sparked a “bandwagon of criticisms” across X and Nigerian media, with users calling him out for alienating his core audience amid his global success.
Details: The controversy escalated when he opened up about “fighting secret battles,” but fans dismissed it as an excuse, pointing to his history of tardiness at Nigerian shows and ejecting fans from events. Some accused him of hypocrisy, given his songs about Nigerian struggles while charging high concert fees (e.g., struggling to sell tickets for a U.S. tour after five months).
Impact: This ties into broader complaints about Afrobeats stars shifting focus abroad (e.g., “headquarters moving to London”) due to poor local infrastructure, leaving Nigerian fans feeling neglected.
- Olamide (Olamide Adedeji) – Backlash Over Artist Rankings
Incident: In a 2025 Canadian Culture Tour recap (echoing a 2017 no-show), Olamide was absent from a headlining slot despite hype, arriving late enough for the event to proceed without him. Fans on X called it “disrespectful” to co-headliner Phyno. The artist also drew heavy criticism after declaring Wizkid the “greatest Afrobeats artist after Fela Kuti” in a podcast, which fans of other artists (e.g., Burna Boy and Davido) saw as biased and dismissive of their favorites. This fueled tribalism debates, with some accusing him of favoring “Yoruba-dominated” narratives in the industry.
Details: Olamide responded by saying, “There’s room for everyone,” emphasizing he handles negativity by ignoring it, but the comments went viral, leading to memes and calls for boycotts. Critics highlighted the toxic rivalries in Nigerian music, like Wizkid-Davido beef and Burna Boy-Olamide tensions.
Impact: It reignited discussions on unity in the industry, with fans arguing such statements exacerbate divisions rather than promoting collaboration.
- Wizkid (Ayodeji Balogun) – Show Cancellations and Elitism Claims
Incident: At the 2025 Afro Nation Festival in Puerto Rico (March), Wizkid took the stage 5 hours late, prompting an official apology from organizers citing “flight delays.” Fans waited in the heat, leading to memes and complaints about his “star behavior. Wizkid was criticized for canceling a major show (part of his ongoing tour), blamed on low ticket sales amid economic hardships in Nigeria. Fans accused him of prioritising international gigs over local ones, calling it a sign of declining Afrobeats popularity in the U.S. and arrogance toward “average” supporters.
Details: This builds on a history, including a 2022 Ghana cancellation blamed on safety issues (though fans suspected lateness). In 2025 social media threads, he’s grouped with others for “Nigerian time abroad,” contrasting his punctual international tours with African onesSocial media posts mocked him with phrases like “cancel Wizkid,” linking it to his alleged avoidance of Nigerian issues (e.g., silence on Christian persecution despite global fame). Some tied it to tribalism, claiming the industry ignores non-Yoruba artists like Phyno or Flavour.
Impact: Despite this, his album Morayo charted well on Apple Music Nigeria, showing a divide between hardcore fans and casual critics.
- TG Omori (ThankGod Omori) – Homophobia and Death Threats
Incident: The music video director sparked outrage by tweeting that “having same gender sex is evil,” leading to accusations of homophobia. A magazine claimed he was using the controversy to promote his glasses line, prompting death threats and safety concerns.
Details: Omori, known for directing hits for artists like Wizkid and Burna Boy, faced calls for industry blacklisting, with fans arguing such views harm Nigeria’s global image. He later clarified it wasn’t promotional but stood by his stance, escalating the debate on artists’ personal beliefs vs. professional roles.
Impact: This highlighted tensions around social issues in the creative space, with some defending free speech while others demanded accountability.
- Odumodublvck – Misogyny and Rape Threat Allegations
Incident: The rapper was called out for misogynistic lyrics (e.g., in tracks glorifying violence against women) and alleged rape threats, including past associations with figures facing similar accusations (e.g., Smada). Fans urged boycotts, questioning why “separate art from artist” is invoked selectively.
Details: A viral thread accused him of doubling down on threats, contrasting it with quicker apologies from others (e.g., in unrelated cultural misappropriation cases). Critics linked it to broader industry toxicity, including beefs with MI Abaga.
Impact: It sparked feminist backlash on X, with users like @lafemmefola noting inconsistent outrage compared to male-targeted threats, underscoring gender biases in fan reactions.
- Kizz Daniel (Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe) – Chronic Promoter Conflicts
Incident: In November 2025, Kizz Daniel arrived nearly five hours late to a scheduled performance abroad (showtime 7-11 PM, arrival around midnight), sparking outrage from organisers and fans. Videos circulated showing frustrated attendees leaving, with promoters accusing him of breaching contracts. This echoes a pattern, including a 2022 Tanzania arrest for not showing up after payment.
Details: He’s been labeled a “serial offender” on X, with users noting it “always seems to happen” despite his hits like Buga. Kizz Daniel has denied rumors of intentional delays ahead of his December 2025 Lagos concert, blaming logistics, but fans argue it tarnishes his image and wastes their time and money.
Impact: Multiple “failed concert sagas” in 2025 have led to calls for blacklisting, with one promoter threatening legal action. Despite this, his fanbase remains loyal, but the criticism amplifies broader industry toxicity.
- Asake (Ahmed Ololade) – UK Tour Backlash
Incident: During his 2022 UK tour extension into early 2025 promotions, Asake was criticized for a Birmingham show where he arrived over two hours late to a sold-out event, leaving fans “standing for hours.” 2025 recaps highlighted it as part of a “bandwagon” of complaints.
Details: Promoters clashed publicly, with Asake’s team citing travel woes, but attendees shared videos of empty sections by the time he performed. It’s tied to his rapid rise, with fans feeling his global focus neglects punctuality for local and international crowds.
Impact: Despite hits like Lungu Boy, it contributed to 2025 discussions on boycotting “unreliable” stars, especially amid economic strains making tickets unaffordable.
- Phyno (Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike) – Shared Tour Failures
Recent Incident: Paired with Olamide in the 2025 Canada tour fallout, Phyno faced indirect heat for the event’s disorganization, including his own delayed set (over three hours late). A viral thread accused him of “not caring” about Igbo fans waiting abroad.
Details: He’s been dinged in broader lists of “latecomers,” with 2025 X posts linking it to his rap style clashing with event vibes. Past incidents, like the 2017 tour, show a pattern of logistical excuses.
Impact: As a respected figure, the criticism hurts more, prompting calls for better artist-organizer contracts to avoid “domino effects” on fans.
These examples reflect a pattern of “quick-to-judge” online discourse, as Minaj noted, often rooted in economic frustrations (e.g., unaffordable shows) and internal rivalries. While some criticisms highlight real issues like fan treatment, others stem from tribalism or misinformation, contributing to the “toxic” environment described in posts.
