Grammy award-winning Nigerian singer, Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has addressed claims that his female counterparts, Tems and Ayra Starr, are outperforming him and have achieved more in the music industry.
These provocative remarks originated from the controversial rapper Odumodublvck during a riveting episode of the ‘Cocktails & Takeaways’ podcast, hosted by Madame Joyce.
He boldly asserted that Tems and Ayra Starr have achieved more significant milestones in the Nigerian music scene than the legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and contemporary giants Wizkid and Burna Boy.
Odumodublvck didn’t hold back, delving into the arduous journey of female artists. He opined that being a successful female artist is the hardest job in the world, emphasizing the systemic challenges they face.
The rapper added that many producers, promoters, and fellow artists exploit female musicians, demanding sexual favors in exchange for professional assistance.
According to him, “When I was coming to London, I was on the same flight with Tems’ manager, Don Awon. I told Tems, ‘Big up, you did it. What you and Ayra Starr have done is bigger than anything Wizkid, Burna Boy and even Fela have done. Quote me anywhere.
“Because as a female artiste, out of every 10 show promoters, 5 want to have sex with you, out of every 10 producers, 5 want to have sex with you, out of every 10 artists that you look up to and need help from them, 5 want to have sex with you.
“I can’t imagine being in that situation. And after dodging all those things, you still make good music. Remember, the number one hardest job in this world is being a woman.
“The second hardest job is being an artiste because there are over 100 million artistes. How are you going to make it out of the thousands of songs that drop every day? Why should they listen to your own?
“It’s not like you’re doing a job that your payment is guaranteed. As an artiste, there’s no guaranteed payment, you’ve to make it for people to pay you. It took me about six years to get my first good cheque. So imagine being a babe and an artiste and you still make it. That’s impressive.”
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Responding via his X handle, Wizkid quoted Odumodublvck’s claims, saying, “Kala no lie.”
An X user reacted to the post and wrote: “So Ayra Starr and Tems are better than you. I’m glad you used your mouth to say Odumodu is not lying.”
Wizkid replied, “I see u weren’t raised by a good woman and love at home. Ayra Star and Tems are amazing.”
