Nigerian singer Flavour has shared a raw and detailed personal story about a two-year battle with masturbation addiction that began after he lost his virginity and left him struggling with shame and isolation.
The highlife star made the revelation during a recent TikTok live session with friends. He explained that the habit started after a brief relationship ended.
“I was addicted to masturbation for two years. After I got disvirgined at the age of 24, the girl left. There were no phones back then, only emails. I’d go to the cyber cafe to send and check if she’d replied to me, but I’d see nothing. I had never had a girlfriend up to that point as well.”
Flavour said the addiction intensified after a friend introduced him to Mapouka dance videos from Congo.
“It was one of my friends that introduced me to Mapouka dance video tapes from Congo. When I got the tape, I waited for everyone to sleep in the house, slotted in the CD, and watched. I’d prepare myself well with a bowl, old cloth or boxer, and soaps.”
It lasted about two years and grew so severe that he felt deep shame. He found it difficult to relate normally with friends, even during everyday activities like watching football. At one point, the addiction became intense enough that he “even used liquid soap.”
He first sought help from his mother’s pastor, whom he described as a Guidance and Counselling expert. The pastor prescribed a 21-day fast with prayer points. Flavour completed the exercise, but the addiction returned just days later.
He later confided in a bassist he played music with. The friend believed the problem was linked to his youth and lack of regular sexual activity. The bassist took him to a brothel and paid for him to have sex with a woman there.
According to Flavour, he then began spending money earned from playing musical instruments on weekly visits to brothels. He said those visits eventually helped him overcome the addiction.
The candid confession has triggered mixed reactions online. Some praised the singer for his honesty while others questioned the decision to share such intimate details publicly. Flavour’s story adds to a growing number of celebrities speaking openly about personal struggles with addiction and mental health.