How artistes’ rivalries fuel conflict, boost revenue

Rivalries between artistes are practically as old as the music industry itself. TOFARATI IGE takes a look at how some of these fierce competitions have played out over the years, and how they have shaped the industry

“Ebenezer Obey had always been my favourite musician. I was an avid fan of his and everyone close to me knew that. In those days, whenever he released any new record (album), I was always one of the first people to get it,” were the opening words of 73-year-old Jonathan Olaoye, a fan of juju music.

The septugenarian became increasingly animated as he recalled a particular incident between him and a late friend to Saturday PUNCH.

“Because of my love for Obey, I could not stand anybody speaking ill of him for whatever reason. As a matter of fact, I actually lost a friendship because of that issue,” he added.

With his demeanour dampening visibly, he continued, “About 40 years ago, a colleague and friend of mine was as passionate about King Sunny Ade as I was enamoured with Obey. Each of us believed that our favourite was the greatest musician of all time.

“Most times, whenever we were with our other friends, we would tease each other about Obey and KSA. Sometimes, tempers would flare but things never escalated beyond that. However, on a particular day, probably as a result of pent up anger and some other unresolved issues, we got into a fight over which of both artistes was better. The argument later degenerated into us abusing each other. We both said things we shouldn’t have said, and despite the intervention of our friends, we kept on shouting and lambasting each other. After that night, I stopped talking to him, and vice-versa.

“Sadly, he passed on some months after that incident without us reconciling. Whenever I remember him, I always feel sad, because the musicians we were fighting over did not even know us.”

The story of Olaoye is an example of how emotional and passionate people can get in showing their love for their favourite artistes.

However, decades after the fight between Olaoye and his friend, many music lovers are still caught in the web of rivalries between their preferred artistes. Over the years, the vibrant Nigerian music industry has not had a shortage of such rivalries between musicians.

KSA/Obey

Unarguably two of the biggest juju musicians Nigeria has ever produced, the duo of Sunday Adegeye (King Sunny Ade) and Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, has been on the entertainment scene for decades, and they both still release songs and perform at events. Obey turned 81 some days ago, while KSA is 76 years old.

Obey began his music career in the late 1950s, and he has since released over 50 albums, with many of them containing evergreen songs that still resonate with generations that were not even born when the tracks were made.

On the other hand, KSA formed his music band in 1967. And, with over 123 albums in his repertoire, it is not out of place that he is called the ‘king of world music’.

By virtue of their popularity and wide acceptance, it was not altogether surprising that both were caught in a web of public rivalry for some time.

Over the years, the duo had stated that there was no bad blood between them. But, some diehard fans still choose to believe otherwise.

At an event about three years ago, Obey had reiterated that the ‘fight’ between him and KSA was majorly the creation of fans. He said, “The competition between me and KSA was projected by fans and the media. It almost turned our music into politics.

“Every time, it was ‘Obey this, Sunny that’. We both always ensured that we neutralised all that fake rivalry. That is why I always say that musicians should not see themselves as competitors, but as contributors to the growth of the Nigerian music industry.”

Echoing Obey’s response, KSA told Saturday PUNCH that fans were at the root of their purported rift. He however admitted that at some points, he and Obey also pretended to be fighting. He said, “It was fans that believed we were always fighting. Obey and I had been friends since we began our bands, and we are still friends. He started his band a year before mine. Also, we pretended to be fighting in order for our fans to enjoy our music more. Then, we used to play at night clubs, and where he was playing was not far from where I played. I recall that the fans would go and disrupt his band, and later come to disturb us too. One day, I went to his (Obey) house to meet him behind closed doors. I asked him how we could manage the situation, and he also asked for my suggestion. We both agreed to change the date of our performances at the club. He chose Thursdays while I maintained Wednesdays. Later, we also pretended to our seniors that we had a misunderstanding, so I invited Pa IK Dairo, Haruna Ishola, Adeolu Akinsanya and two others, to help settle the rift. For a long time, to avoid clashes between our fans, if I had a show, I would ask (the organisers) if Ebenezer Obey was going to be there. If they said ‘yes’, I would not honour the invitation; and that was the same thing he (Obey) did too. Our elders then told us there should be no more fights between us, and we should make records to appease our fans. So, when I sang, he replied too. As the two of us were holding the meeting in his house, we just heard a bang on the door and somebody— the late Olabisi Ajala(a journalist, globetrotter and writer)— was shouting that, so the two of us were friends, and we were pretending otherwise. We did not open the door, but we had already agreed on how we would be doing things from then on. I have to thank God for his (Obey) life, because he later got a call from God and became a cleric. The bottom line is that we have always been friends. We also advise the young musicians that they don’t need to fight or destroy one another’s shows because of unnecessary rivalry.”

Speaking at another event in Lagos, Obey had urged musicians to eschew bitter rivalries. He said, “Musicians must not see themselves as competitors. I won’t ever stop saying this, because it is a piece of priceless advice.

“Musicians must appreciate one another, because God has given every one of them gifts and talents. These talents can never be the same, no matter how hard they try. Even if we play the same kind of music, it can never be the same.”

However, when Saturday PUNCH reached out to Obey for more comments, he declined to speak about it further. According to him, at 81, he wanted to be a father figure, and not want to say that could be misconstrued.

KSA/Emperor Pick Peters

A popular juju musician, Peter Akorede, aka Emperor Pick Peters, had countless fans in his heydays, as his songs were enjoyed by many. Needless to say that he was one of the raves of the moment in the 70s and 80s.

However, one of the most notable highlights of Peters’ career was the perceived rivalry between him and juju maestro, KSA. But, in an interview some years ago, Peters stated emphatically that he never fought with KSA.

According to him, after KSA released an album titled, ‘E K’ilo F’omo Ode’ (Warn the son of the Hunter), many of his fans told him that the song was directed at him. Prior to that time, Peters had come into the industry, proclaiming that he was the son of a hunter (omo ode); so it was not surprising that many fans believed that KSA’s song was targeted at him.

Narrating what had transpired between him and KSA up to that point, Picks stated in an interview that he had informed the latter of his intention to join a company owned by the late Bolarinwa Abioro, who was KSA’s uncle. He added that KSA promised to assist him, and he (Peters) told the former to advise Abioro to buy him a Volkswagen bus (danfo), to convey his musical equipment; not knowing that there was a crisis between KSA and Abioro.

In his words, “I decided to go to the studio after an album released by King Sunny Ade titled ‘E k’ilo f’omo Ode. Let me tell you the truth about that song; KSA is not the original owner. It was Ambrose Campbell (a highlife and juju musician)’s song.

“However, all the stories that I was fighting him (KSA) did not hold water. KSA is my brother and friend. We were together when he was living in a rented apartment. I used to go to his house; and his late wife, Yetunde, used to cook for us.”

Asked to define his current relationship with KSA, he said simply, “It is as cordial as ever. If I want to see him now, I will see him. We are very cordial friends.”

It is pertinent to note that at all the records they made during that time were massively bought by fans.

The Dele Abiodun angle

Amidst the raging brouhaha, Peters was also locked in a ‘battle’ with his former band mate, Dele Abiodun.

Recalling the genesis of their crisis, he said, “It started in 1975, when I was to play with Dele Abiodun at a funeral at the Ita Faaji area of Lagos Island. Abiodun was there before me, because I had an earlier show in Ogun State. On getting there, we exchanged greetings. We drank and ate together, and agreed to play for one hour each. But, my friend mounted the stage and started abusing me. It was at that event he debuted his popular track, ‘O jebi o jebi Omo Ode’ (The Son of the Hunter is Guilty).”

Offering a glimpse into how fans, sometimes, fanned the embers of such discords, Peters continued, “When my fans heard this, they came to me and insisted that I must fire back, or they would back out as my fans and become Dele’s fans. I was confused because I was not prepared for all that.”

Peters later released a song titled, ‘Ejuba f’omo Ode’ (Pay Homage to the Hunter), which was believed to be his response to Abiodun.

Barrister and Kollington

The feud between two fuji heavyweights, Ayinla Kollington; and his late former contemporary, Sikiru Balogun, aka Barrister, is undoubtedly one of the footnotes of fuji music history in Nigeria, as it also dominated news headlines for a long time. Though they used to be friends, their relationship later degenerated badly.

In a book, ‘Ayinla Omowura: Life and Times of an Apala Legend’, authored by media personality and lawyer, Festus Adedayo, Kollington claimed that the fight between him and Barrister began after he (Kollington) released an album that was a response to apala musician, Fatai Olowonyo, an arch-rival of another apala musician, Ayinla Omowura, who Kollington was taking tutelage under at the time.

Kollington added that Olowonyo then approached Barrister to record a reply to him (Kollington) and Omowura.

The book quotes him as saying, “Olowonyo enlisted Sikiru (Barrister)’s help in attacking and replying to my diatribes on the song, ‘Omo Iya onipako’. Sikuru too behaved like a child; in that he ought to have thought about the fact that I was his friend. Instead of acceding to Olowonyo’s request, he should have called me to seek an end to the feud. Rather than do that, he also went to the studio to sing against me. That was how the fight began.”

However, in an interview with City People Magazine in 2020, Kollington stated that their fight ended when his mother died. He said, “It was God that ended the fight for us when Iya Ilu Oke (my mum) died. But, as we kept ending the fight, people kept bringing it back.”

Asked to confirm the rumours that music promoters and marketers asked the two musicians not to end their fight, Kollington stated that it was false. He said, “No; it was not so. There was nothing like that. Do you know that K1 de Ultimate was the one who ended the rift for us? Sikiru was abroad; and I said I won’t tell him that my mum had died. But, Wasiu (K1) said I should tell him. And, I eventually did. He (Barrister) then said he would come. He said he would arrive that day, but I should not do anything to embarrass him.”

He added that when Barrister eventually came to his house, they retreated to a corner and buried the hatchet between them. Recalling what transpired, Kollington said, “Wasiu went to meet him (Barrister) at the airport with many other fuji musicians, and they all came to my house. K1 then told them all to leave me and Barrister alone.

“Then, two of us went to sit under a tree and we got talking. He said he had forgiven me all my sins and all I did to him, in the name of his mum. He also said that for whatever he had done to offend me, I should forgive him in the name of my mum. He said we should not fight again. I then told him that he was always the cause of our fights.

“That was how we ended the fight and started the party (funeral).”

During the peak of the crisis, the duo was said to have taken the rivalry beyond the music industry, as they always strove to outshine each other in terms of buying cars and other properties, as well as travelling out of the country to perform.

Barrister and K1 de Ultimate

Many lovers of fuji music were infuriated when while speaking at a public forum some years ago, K1 stated that Barrister was not the originator of fuji music. Many felt that K1’s statement was a betrayal of Barrister, under whom the former cut his teeth as a musician.

However, after the backlash, K1 stated that he was not trying to deny Barrister of his rightful credit, but that he was only stating the history of fuji music as he knew it.

It is generally believed that wéré music, also known as ajísari, the progenitor of fuji, was a genre of music that started out as songs to wake Muslims for Sahur (a meal taken before dawn during the Ramadan fasting period). However, there is also no denying the fact that Barrister popularised the genre during the 1960s. He was also credited with coining the name, ‘fuji’.

Acknowledging Barrister’s pioneering contributions to fuji music, K1 said an event, “I am speaking on behalf of the forefathers that had done graciously well as regards ‘ajisare’; before the late Barrister turned it to a mega success that we are seeing today. God used Barrister to create fuji music (and take it) to the standard we are seeing now. I stand here to affirm that he is truly the creator of it (fuji). Barrister was our own Jesus Christ, and Prophet Mohammed. I am a direct beneficiary because I started with him. He gave me everything. I served him very well, and I learnt the rudiments of that genre of music from him.”

Together with some stakeholders, K1 staged the first edition of the ‘Sikiru Ayinde Barrister Colloquium’ in Ikeja, Lagos, on March 16, 2022, and it was well attended by personalities in the music industry, as well as Barrister’s family members and fans.

Obesere/K1

For those conversant with happenings in the fuji music industry, it is stale news that Abass Akande, aka Obesere; and K1 de Ultimate, do not see eye to eye. Though it is not exactly clear what started their feud, many have tried to intervene without success.

In an interview with Daily Post some years ago, Obesere stated that he took exception to the fact that after Barrister’s death, K1 allegedly started parading himself as the leader of fuji musicians in the country. He said, “After Barrister’s death, K1 started parading himself as the new king of fuji. But, he cannot be the new king when Kollington is still alive. That is rude. Kollington had been playing music long before all of us, and that makes him our father. Even if Kollington were no more, K1 would still not have the right to call himself the leader of fuji musicians.

“He has never been a king over me. He is the lord of his own music. He is rude to even the elderly ones, and that is why someone like me will never agree with him on anything.”

However, in an interview with our correspondent, Obesere declined to comment on his relationship with K1. He said, “On a personal note, I don’t have any issue with K1. I don’t even like to comment on it. I am sure that if you ask him the same question, he won’t also be willing to talk about it.”

Obesere also acknowledged that many of the feuds between musicians were caused by their fans. He said, “On most occasions, the artistes are friends; but their fans are the ones that instigate rivalries between them. As for me, I am not in competition with anyone. I do my thing, and I try as much as possible to respect people. I cherish respect a lot.”

On if he had ever witnessed musicians fighting one another through diabolical means, the ‘Egungun be Careful’ singer said, “I have never experienced that, so I cannot really say much about it.

“Even if these things like that used to happen, that was in the past. These days, musicians are more concerned about improving their crafts and making money. Nowadays, if there is any rivalry, it is about who is richer.”

Pasuma/Saheed Osupa

Both with vast followership, these two musicians are undoubtedly one of the biggest fuji musicians at the moment.

However, as usually happens when two musicians are believed to be on top of the industry, a ‘beef’ grew between the musicians, which endured for many years.

Though there have been different accounts given for the cause of their rivalries, according to some stakeholders in the industry, the rift started when the late Barrister crowned Osupa as the ‘King of Fuji Music’ and ‘Ayangalu 1st (a traditional title given to drummers and musicians in Ibadan, Oyo State). Not surprisingly, the development did not go down well with some other fuji musicians, including Pasuma.

Barrister was reported to have said, “I have made him king of music and I should be held responsible for that. Whoever is bitter about it should challenge my authority. Saheed Osupa is an outstanding artiste. If he produces four albums for four marketers, they will all be blockbusters…I confirm him to be the ‘King of Music’. I will crown whoever is due for the crown and nothing will happen.”

The gossip mills had it that Pasuma then decided to pitch his tent with K1, and adopt the title, ‘Arabambi 2’, as K1 is referred to as ‘Arabambi 1’.

Though the relationship between Pasuma and K1 was later said to have gone sour, it seems they are now on good terms, as they have been spotted at events together in a convivial atmosphere.

Wizkid/Davido/Burna Boy

Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid; and David Adeleke, aka Davido, are two young talented artistes of about the same age making waves on the music scene. Their music has travelled beyond borders, and both artistes have hosted sold-out shows in different parts of the world, including London (United Kingdom) and New York (United States of America).

At the time their music started to gain massive popularity over a decade ago, many industry pundits pegged them to be the new kings of the Nigerian music industry. And indeed, they are currently the toasts of the world.

Living the lives that millions of their fellow youths can only dream about, these men actually have more in common than what sets them apart. But, they often don’t seem to see eye to eye.

Wizkid’s fan base is known as Wizkid FC, while Davido’s camp is called ‘30 Billion Gang’. Both fan bases are usually ferocious in defending their idol and casting aspersion on the other. The fans constantly compare the artistes in practically everything they do. For example, whenever Davido buys a new vehicle, his fans are quick to rub it on the faces of Wizkid’s fans that the former is doing better than their star. Conversely, whenever Wizkid sells out a show in a foreign land or bags a prestigious award, his fans don’t hesitate to talk about how the event trumped that of the ‘Aye’ singer.

In different interviews, both artistes have denied being at loggerheads, but their actions or inactions are often interpreted to suit certain narratives by their fans.

However, after the death of Davido’s only son, Ifeanyi, on October 31, 2022, the duo soft-pedalled. Speaking during an interview in the United States of America on the sidelines of his ongoing ‘Timeless’ album tour, Davido stated that since the sad incident, Wizkid practically calls him every week.

Other young artistes that have been involved in bitter rivalries include Bnxn (formerly Buju) and Ruger; Vector and MI Abaga;

The place of fans

In the course of interviews with artistes, managers, record label executives, academics and entertainment journalists, fans were fingered as one of the major causes of rifts between musicians.

In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Davido’s lawyer and one of his managers, Bobo Ajudua, stated that fans were mostly to blame for such feuds. He said, “I believe so, 100 per cent. What is happening between Davido and Wizkid is similar to what is happening with two great footballers— Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. If one puts both of them in the same room, one will find them sharing jokes with each other. These two (Davido and Wizkid) have a healthy competition between them, and that is always welcome. At the same time, we must appreciate their teams because without them, there is no way both parties would have come this far or attained the heights they are at today. Considering the length of time they have spent at the top, I am certain that at many points in their careers, if the other one was not there, they would have felt very lonely at the top. Also, the two of them speak more often than people would ever realise.”

In a similar vein, a music executive, Michael Owolabi, was of the opinion that most of the feuds between entertainers were instigated by and exacerbated by fans. He said, “From my experience working with many top artistes, I have come to realise that fans play a very significant role in the feuds that occur between entertainers. Many of these artistes make innocent statements, which are then taken out of context, and given sinister meanings by fans.”

A talent manager, Tobi Adesiyan, who has worked with artistes such as Burna Boy, Timaya and Ruggedman, also acknowledged the roles fans play in such feuds. He said, “On many occasions, fans are the ones who usually instigate rivalries between artistes. When fans of particular artistes come together as a ‘family’, there tend to be fights and clashes, even though the fans could call them ‘banters’. They (fans) keep cooking up different narratives and agendas against one another. I have seen several cases of artistes who are thought not to like one another being on good terms with themselves, but their fans weave theories of fights and run with it.”

Toeing a similar line with Adesiyan, a writer and public relations liaison with Mavin Records, Tope Agbeyo, added that the media also had a share of the blame in promoting rivalry among artistes. He told out correspondent, “I agree that fans are one of the major causes of these rivalries. However, I think the media, also has part of the blame. A particular fan can come out to say, ‘My artiste is better than your artist’, and it would be amplified by the media. Meanwhile, artistes are also humans and they are on social media platforms, where they see what the fans are saying. The negative side of this is that it kills collaboration. I feel that if an artiste cannot collaborate with other acts, it is akin to hindering a major part of their music. Some of the biggest hits out there are products of collaboration between talented artistes.”

Record labels complicit?

It has also often been said that some record labels intentionally orchestrate such animosities, so that their artistes on their rosters can sell more records.

Adesiyan noted that record labels sometimes promoted ‘beef’ between artistes because it invariably fetched them more money. He told our correspondent, “Rivalry is also a viable form of marketing for certain record labels that want to go down that route. They create rivalry with other artistes they see as competitions, and who they feel would help them grow their artistes’ fan base. In many instances, that has worked, but I don’t want to mention names. Because record labels know that things like that work, they will continue exploring that option in a bid to create awareness. Most artistes love to be talked about; either for good or bad. In showbiz, it is often said that there is no good or bad PR. It is a form of indirect marketing.”

However, Agbeyo was of the opinion that no serious record label would go out of its way to create enemies for the artistes on its roster. He said, “I work with one of the biggest record labels in the country, and I have friends in other record labels as well. I can say it boldly that no record labels wants enemies for their artistes. On the contrary, they want artistes that are loved by everybody. Looking at it from a marketing angle, if an artiste that is well loved by everyone releases a song, it would enjoy free marketing by the artiste’s ‘friends’ in the industry, as well as fans.

“On the other hand, if an artiste has plenty enemies and they release songs; even if they are good, their music will be trashed by the people who don’t like them. Also, those people would not attend their shows or stream their music. By intentionally creating rivalries for their artistes, they are practically setting a machinery that will work against them. As far as I’m concerned, any record label that does things like that clearly lacks foresight. It means they are not thinking of the long-term career growth of the artistes in their care.”

Agbeyo added that though rivalry could be healthy, it could also be toxic and affect the mental health of the artistes concerned. He told Saturday PUNCH, “Healthy competition is good, in the sense that when one sees another person doing something good, and one feels that one can do better. It also brings innovation, as well promote the industry and individual brands. In most cases, rivalry stems from one artiste feeling like they are better than the other person. It is basically a battle for superiority. But, if one studies music as an art form, one will realise that it is very subjective. I don’t think any artiste can really claim to be superior to another. I see it as a pointless argument because when it comes to music, taste differs. What one person like might not be enjoyed by another.

“Also, rivalry becomes toxic when it is not healthy; and that does more harm than good for music and afrobeat (as a growing global genre). These days, rivalries have become toxic and I don’t think it is good for any of the parties involved.”

Don’t fall for fans’ antics, experts warn artistes

Benson Idonije, a respected showbiz personality and a former manager of the late afrobeat creator and icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, told our correspondent that though fans often instigated such rivalries, artistes should not fall for them. He said, “Rivalries are nothing new in the entertainment industry. And most times, it is caused by fans. However, artistes should be careful not to fall into such traps, because if it has a negative impact on their careers, they would bear the brunt alone.

“An artiste can sell records and fill up concert venues without having unnecessary enmity with other artistes.”

Idonijie, who is the grandfather of popular singer, Burna Boy, advised artistes to concentrate on building their brands and improving on their talents, instead of concentrating on frivolities. He said, “The most important currencies for every artiste to have are talent and hard work. If an artiste has that combination, they would be very hard to ignore. And, they would not need to seek popularity and relevance through other means.”

Similarly, Adesiyan noted that inasmuch as rivalries could be a marketing tactic, not all artistes could handle it. He said, “Some artistes are not able to handle issues of rivalries well; hence they fall out with one another. Things like these have affected many artistes, who are not able to handle the hate and abuse.

“Needless to say, it usually has harmful effects on the careers of the artistes in question.”

A case for healthy rivalry

A musician and lecturer in the Creative Arts department of the University of Lagos, Dr Seyi Kenny, however, noted that rivalry could be good for artistes, provided it was healthy. He said, “Rivalry breeds competition. But, it also brings about factions, as fans would identify with a particular artiste over the other. But, the truth is that whether people hate an artist or not, they would enjoy and identify with good music. Fans dance to all kinds of songs at parties. It becomes bad when it degenerates to an extent that the artistes involved keep malice and have animosity towards one another.

“Rivalry cannot be eliminated. It begins with the artistes having cliques. If you look at the current crop of top artistes, it seems Burna Boy and Wizkid are on good terms, while the same cannot be said of their relationship with Davido. It is things like that that rub off on fans. Beyond the music, fans also pay close attention to the lifestyles of the artistes.”

The musician and lecturer also noted that the lyrics of artistes play a huge role in whether they would have rivalry issues with other acts. He said, “The content of their music is another important factor when it comes to rivalries. If an artiste uses lyrics like, ‘I don’t fight people’, fans will know that such artiste is not interested in rivalry. On the other hand, if an artiste employs words like, ‘I am number one. I am the baddest. I am the odogwu.” Fans can (and usually) read meanings to such words, and interpret it to mean a message is being sent to rivals. Many people seem to forget that music is also a form of communication. It can be used to communicate love, quarrel, friendship, or even war.”