The conversation sparked by These Are The Issues featuring KingWyza and Sadeblaq on Afouda Samuel Youtube Channel didn’t just scratch the surface—it ripped it wide open. They poured out their hearts about the realities of the Ibadan music industry, naming names like DJ Secxy, Wale Waves, Femi Knolls, and Keanzo Abami, pointing directly at the cracks many have been too scared to address.
Let’s not pretend—this is exactly what Ibadan needs right now. Not silence. Not diplomacy. Raw, uncomfortable truth. Because the reality is, the city’s entertainment structure is deeply flawed, and everybody involved knows it. The media space—DJs, OAPs, presenters, show promoters—controls the narrative, the exposure, and ultimately, the success of artistes. But instead of building, many are gatekeeping, recycling the same safe choices, and playing to the gallery.
If this industry is ever going to grow beyond local noise and compete at a national level, then the people holding the mic and the decks need to wake up. This is not just hustle—it’s responsibility. And right now, that responsibility is being neglected.
The situation around Davido 5ive Tour only made things worse. It exposed a painful truth: a lot of people in Ibadan don’t even recognize their own artistes. No connection, no sing-along, no energy. It felt less like a performance and more like a public embarrassment. That moment didn’t just happen by accident—it was the result of years of neglect.
And here’s the irony: Ibadan is one of the cities with the highest number of radio stations in Nigeria, yet it struggles to produce or sustain a major mainstream star that the audience is eager to see. Think about that. The platforms are there. The reach is there. But the impact? Completely missing. That is not an artiste problem—that is a media failure.
Some DJs will quickly complain that artistes don’t show appreciation when they finally “blow.” But let’s flip it—what about the countless unknown artistes whose songs you spin back-to-back without even mentioning their names? What about the ones you never push unless there’s something in it for you? You can’t keep demanding loyalty when you’re not offering genuine support.
Building a real industry is not about quick gains or personal benefits. It’s about ecosystem. Everybody has a role to play, and when that system works, the rewards go round. But right now, too many people are focused on what they can get immediately instead of what they can help build.
Let’s be honest—many DJs in Ibadan are more comfortable pushing songs that have already passed through the Lagos machine. Once a track is stamped “hot” by Lagos, it suddenly becomes worthy of rotation here. That dependency is killing originality. Instead of creating a sound, the city is consuming one.
And yes, it also needs to be said—not all Ibadan artistes are good enough. That’s the truth nobody wants to admit. A lot of the music doesn’t meet industry standards. But there are a few who are exceptional, a few who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best anywhere. Those are the ones that should be getting intentional push, strategic exposure, and real investment.
Imagine if radio stations and DJs committed just 10% of their playlists to local content. Just 10%. The industry wouldn’t be in this mess. But even that bare minimum is not being met consistently.
At this point, it’s no longer a hidden issue—it’s a systemic failure. And until the media, DJs, and stakeholders stop playing safe and start building deliberately, Ibadan will keep producing talents that never truly arrive.
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