Nigerian music superstar Davido has taken a swipe at music promoter Paulo Okoye following comments by the entertainment executive about the current state of Afrobeat and the cost of booking some of Nigeria’s biggest music stars.
The exchange has attracted attention among fans and followers of the Nigerian entertainment industry, particularly because Paulo has previously publicly defended Davido during a controversy involving the singer.
The latest disagreement began after Paulo questioned whether Afrobeat was “dead or in coma” while discussing the increasingly high fees demanded by some of Nigeria’s biggest music acts.
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1. Paulo questions the state of Afrobeat
Paulo Okoye, a well-known Nigerian music promoter and entertainment executive, recently expressed frustration about the cost of booking some of the country’s biggest Afrobeat stars.
While discussing the situation, he questioned whether the genre was still thriving or whether it was experiencing difficulties.
His comments quickly generated reactions from people within Nigeria’s music industry.
Afrobeat has become one of Africa’s biggest cultural exports, with Nigerian artists enjoying international recognition and attracting audiences across Europe, North America and other parts of the world.
2. Bankulli disagrees with Paulo
Nigerian singer and music executive Bankulli also weighed in on the conversation.
Bankulli criticised Paulo’s position and suggested that his complaint about artists’ fees was connected to the fact that he could not afford some of the industry’s biggest stars.
The comment added another layer to an already heated discussion about the economics of Nigerian music.
As international demand for Nigerian performers has increased, fees for major concerts and performances have also become a major topic among promoters and entertainment executives.
3. Davido joins the conversation
Davido eventually entered the discussion by responding to the comments.
The Grammy-nominated Nigerian superstar supported Bankulli’s position and appeared to dismiss Paulo’s criticism with a short but pointed remark.
Davido tagged Paulo and wrote:
“PAUL O AKA PAUL BROKE.”
The comment immediately attracted attention online, with fans debating the exchange and discussing the relationship between the two entertainment personalities.
4. The comment sparks reactions online
Davido’s response quickly became another talking point across social media.
Because of his enormous following and status within Afrobeats, even a short comment from the singer can generate significant discussion.
Some fans interpreted his statement as playful banter, while others viewed it as a serious response to Paulo’s criticism of the music industry.
The exchange also reignited broader discussions about the cost of hiring Nigerian artists for concerts and private events.
5. Nigerian artists command bigger fees
The disagreement comes at a time when Nigerian music has become increasingly valuable internationally.
Artists such as Davido, Wizkid and Burna Boy have built global audiences and performed at major venues around the world.
Their international success has also changed the economics of live entertainment.
Promoters now have to balance high performance fees with venue costs, ticket prices, sponsorships, logistics and other expenses.
For some promoters, booking major Nigerian artists can therefore require significant financial investment.
6. Paulo previously defended Davido
Interestingly, the latest exchange comes nearly two years after Paulo publicly defended Davido during another controversy.
At the time, Davido faced criticism after making comments about the Nigerian economy during an appearance on The Big Homies House podcast.
Davido had described the Nigerian economy as being in serious difficulty, prompting debate among Nigerians and people within the entertainment industry.
Paulo defended the singer during the controversy, showing that the relationship between the two had previously been publicly supportive.
The latest disagreement therefore represents a noticeable change in tone.
7. Paulo and Iyabo Ojo’s relationship
Paulo Okoye is also well known for his relationship with Nigerian actress Iyabo Ojo.
Ojo publicly confirmed her relationship with Paulo during her 45th birthday celebration in December 2022.
The couple has since remained one of the most talked-about celebrity relationships in Nigeria.
Paulo’s involvement in music promotion and entertainment has also kept him connected to many of the country’s leading performers.
The bigger Afrobeat conversation
Beyond the personal exchange between Davido and Paulo, the disagreement highlights a much bigger conversation about the future of Afrobeat.
The genre has grown from a predominantly Nigerian sound into a global music movement.
Nigerian artists now headline international festivals, collaborate with major global stars and attract millions of listeners worldwide.
With that growth has come increased competition among promoters and higher expectations from performers.
The debate over artists’ fees is therefore unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
For now, Davido’s “broke” remark has added another entertaining chapter to the ongoing conversation about Nigerian music, its growing commercial value and the challenges facing promoters.
Whether Paulo will respond to Davido’s comment remains to be seen, but the exchange has already generated significant interest among fans of Nigerian entertainment.
For additional background on Davido and his music career, visit The Guardian’s Davido coverage.
