Nigerian singer Victor Okafor, better known as Mr. Real, has opened up about one of the biggest regrets of his career, the decision to feature rapper Idowest on his breakout hit song “Legbegbe.”
In a candid interview on Hip TV Trending, the singer revealed that while the track became a massive success in 2017, he believes including Idowest limited its potential and, by extension, his career growth.
According to him, the song could have propelled him into the league of Nigeria’s most prominent global superstars had he released it as a solo effort.
“I regret bringing Idowest into that song… I wish I had sung that song alone. If I had sung that song alone, I’d be on the same level as Burna Boy and Wizkid,” he said during the interview.
The street-hop anthem “Legbegbe” dominated the airwaves upon release, soundtracking countless parties and becoming a viral street chant.
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The track was lauded for its infectious rhythm and raw street energy, with many crediting it as one of the defining hits of the late 2010s Afrobeats and street-hop scene.
However, Mr. Real now feels the song’s rollout was mishandled. He disclosed that there had been serious plans to record a remix featuring Wizkid, one of Africa’s biggest music exports.
That collaboration, he claims, would have taken the song to global heights. Unfortunately, according to him, the deal collapsed due to complications allegedly involving veteran artist D’banj.
“The Wizkid remix plan didn’t materialize, all because of D’banj,” Mr. Real alleged, hinting at behind-the-scenes industry politics that cost him a career-defining moment.
The singer, who shot to fame on the back of “Legbegbe,” admitted that while the song gave him widespread recognition, the missed opportunities surrounding it still weigh heavily on him.
For Mr. Real, the difference between being a respected street-hop act and an international superstar boiled down to the choices he made with the record.
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Despite his regrets, Mr. Real’s impact on Nigeria’s street-hop movement remains undeniable. “Legbegbe” not only made him a household name but also contributed to the mainstream recognition of the street sound, paving the way for other acts like Zlatan, Naira Marley, and late. Mohbad to thrive in the years that followed.
