Veteran music producer and singer Samklef has stirred controversy after blaming Afrobeats superstar Davido for what he described as the growing toxicity in the Nigerian music industry.
Samklef made the statement while reacting to a post by producer-turned-singer Pheelz, who had shared his concerns about unhealthy comparisons among artistes and fans.
Pheelz wrote:
“Music was meant to be enjoyed, not to be compared. This comparison game is hurting the sound and culture more than we can ever know.”
While agreeing with the sentiment, Samklef took the conversation in a more direct and controversial direction.
According to him, the industry was once driven by love, creativity, and mutual respect before things allegedly changed.
“Music was fun when we started,” Samklef wrote. “When Wizkid came, there was no comparison—everything was pure love.”
He continued:
“Olamide came too, same thing. No pressure, no hatred, just music.”
However, Samklef claimed the atmosphere shifted with Davido’s emergence.
“Then one Scorpio boy who moves like Diddy… Davido entered, and since then the industry turned toxic.”
Doubling down on his claim, the producer alleged that the space became riddled with unhealthy practices.
“Cultist mindset, threats, fake streams, dirty moves everywhere,” he added.
Samklef’s remarks immediately triggered strong reactions online, reopening long-standing debates about rivalry, fan wars, industry politics, and competition in the Nigerian music scene.
So far, many netizens have accused the producer of unfairly targeting Davido, noting that competition and toxicity in the industry have been existing before Davido’s arrival.