Nigerian rapper Ycee has found himself at the center of intense online backlash after criticizing what he described as a growing “Olodo uprising” in Nigeria during a recent appearance on the Afropolitan Podcast. The veteran artist highlighted concerns over anti-intellectualism, arguing that society is increasingly rewarding ignorance and viral sensationalism at the expense of education and substance.
In the interview, Ycee did not hold back. “This Olodo uprising that we even have right now… it’s terrible, I promise you. It’s like we are trying so much to accommodate unintelligent people and ignorant people,” he stated. He pointed to broader societal issues, including challenges facing the education sector such as insecurity and shifting values.
Ycee specifically referenced the rise of content creators, noting a shift from “Yahoo culture” to what he termed “Peller culture.” “It’s not even Yahoo culture anymore; now we have a ‘Peller culture.’ This ‘Olodo’ uprising we are witnessing is terrible,” he said, while clarifying that his comments were not a personal attack. He emphasized support for legitimate hustle but warned about the long-term impact on youth who might prioritize quick online fame over sustainable achievement.
The remarks quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism from netizens who accused Ycee of targeting TikToker and streamer, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller. Many viewed the comments as dismissive of Peller’s success in building a massive following through live streams and content creation.
Peller fired back swiftly on social media, turning the exchange into a public feud. In one response, he stated, “The same olodo uprising wey una dey use promote una noise,” implying that Ycee and others leverage such content for their own promotion. He further claimed that Ycee’s team had been reaching out via DMs begging for their sounds to be used, adding, “Ycee you are an illiterate you should not have mentioned Names while trying to make your point.”
The controversy has split opinions across social platforms, with some defending Ycee’s right to critique cultural trends and others praising Peller’s self-made success as evidence of changing opportunities beyond traditional education. Supporters of Ycee argue he highlighted genuine issues with declining emphasis on academics amid economic hardships, while Peller’s defenders point to his ability to create jobs and entertain millions as valid hustle.
