Veteran Nigerian singer Konga has criticised what he described as a lack of support from the current generation of artistes toward music legends in the country.
He made the remarks during a recent episode of the Hits Don’t Lie podcast, where he reflected on the state of the industry and the treatment of older musicians.
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According to him, many pioneers of Nigerian music have been neglected despite their contributions to the growth of the industry.
Konga specifically referenced Afrobeats star Davido, suggesting that the singer could have used the funds he received during his 2021 birthday to support struggling veterans.
New Daily Prime recalled that Davido received donations from friends and fans, which he later increased with his own contribution, bringing the total to N250 million.
He subsequently donated the entire sum to orphanages across Nigeria.
However, Konga argued that a different approach could have had a lasting impact on the music industry. He said the funds could have been used to revive the careers of veteran artistes who are currently facing challenges.
“The present crops of Nigerian artists need to humble themselves,” he said. “Nobody is dragging their money with them, but peer pressure has pushed many Nigerian music legends into doing menial jobs abroad.”
Furthermore, he explained that if he had been part of Davido’s management team, he would have advised a different use of the funds. According to him, sharing the money among veteran artistes could have helped them make a comeback.
“If I were part of Davido’s management, I would have said—carry this money and give it to these legends. Bring Baba Fryo back, bring Daddy Showkey. Give them N5 million each,” he said.
He added that such a move could have revived interest in older artistes and inspired them to release new music. In his view, this would have strengthened the industry as a whole.
In addition, Konga expressed concern about what he sees as a lack of recognition for past achievements. He mentioned veteran acts like Lord of Ajasa, questioning why their contributions are often overlooked.
He also reacted to comments by Olamide, who had described Wizkid as the greatest Nigerian artist internationally. Konga disagreed with such claims, arguing that earlier generations had already taken Nigerian music to global stages.
“You guys are only taking it forward from where we stopped,” he said.
Moreover, he highlighted the global achievements of past icons, including Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and Majek Fashek. He noted that these legends toured internationally long before the current wave of Afrobeats gained global attention.
According to him, the lack of proper documentation in earlier years should not diminish their legacy or impact.
Overall, Konga’s comments have sparked debate about recognition, support, and continuity within Nigeria’s music industry, as conversations continue about how best to honour those who laid its foundation.
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