Music executive and talented manager, Ubi Franklin, has weighed in on the ongoing conversation about the relationship between Afrobeats’ leading stars Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy popularly referred to as the genre’s “Big 3.”
Speaking on a recent episode of the Afropolitan podcast, Franklin explained that while fans often express their desire to see the trio collaborate on a project, the dynamics of the music industry make such a collaboration unlikely.
According to the Made Men Music Group (MMMG) founder, the three megastars are not necessarily enemies, but their shared dominance in the global music scene naturally places them in competition.
“It would be difficult for Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy to come together,” Franklin said. “I will speak for Davido I have never heard him for once say something ill about Wizkid or Burna Boy. And I’m sure it’s the same for them. But the environment they are in will make it difficult for them to work together.”
Franklin likened the dynamic between the trio to the rivalry between Nigeria’s top banks, where competition for market dominance creates a natural barrier to collaboration.
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“In every industry, there is competition. The music industry is no different. These three are at the top of the food chain. That naturally creates a kind of rivalry that makes collaboration difficult,” he explained.
Franklin also stressed that fans often misinterpret the lack of public camaraderie as personal animosity. He maintained that any rivalry between the trio is more about maintaining dominance in a competitive industry rather than personal grudges.
“The beef between the Afrobeats stars isn’t beyond entertainment,” Franklin clarified. “Davido doesn’t sit with his guys and talk about Wizkid or Burna Boy. There’s no gossiping, no malice. It’s just that everybody is trying to hold their spot as the number one.”
The talent manager acknowledged that a collaboration between Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy would be historic for Afrobeats and could potentially shatter streaming records globally.
However, he reiterated that the likelihood of such a moment remains slim given the competitive atmosphere surrounding them.
“This is not to say it can’t happen, but it would take a lot of intentionality from all three of them. It’s a business decision at the end of the day,” Franklin said.
