Veteran record producer Samklef has accused Afrobeats star Davido of fuelling toxicity and unhealthy rivalry in the Nigerian music industry.
He claimed this while reacting to a social media post by producer and singer Pheelz, who raised concerns about constant comparisons among artists.
Pheelz had earlier lamented the growing culture of competition in the industry. He warned that excessive comparisons were damaging Nigerian music and its global image.
According to him, music should bring joy, not division.
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“Music was meant to be enjoyed, not compared,” Pheelz wrote. “This comparison game is hurting the sound and the culture more than we know.”
Samklef responded strongly to the post. He argued that the industry was once peaceful and built on mutual respect before Davido rose to prominence.
In his view, things changed when rivalry became central to conversations around music success.
The producer claimed that when Wizkid first emerged as a young star, there was no pressure or hostility.
He said the focus at the time was simply on making good music and enjoying creativity. Samklef added that the same atmosphere existed when rapper Olamide joined the scene.
According to him, there was no competition-driven narrative back then. Artists supported one another, and fans focused more on the music than on personal rivalries.
“Music was fun when we started,” Samklef wrote. “When Wizkid came, there was no comparison. Everything was pure love. When Olamide came, it was the same thing. No pressure. No hatred. Just music.”
However, Samklef claimed that the situation changed after Davido entered the mainstream. He alleged that Davido’s rise marked the beginning of toxicity in the industry.
He accused the singer of encouraging unhealthy competition and division, though he did not provide specific examples.
Samklef further alleged that the industry began to experience threats, manipulation, and questionable practices following Davido’s emergence.
He described the environment as hostile and far removed from the unity that once existed.
“Then one Scorpio boy who moves like Diddy entered,” Samklef wrote, referring to Davido. “Since then, the industry turned toxic. Cultist mindset. Threats. Fake streams. Dirty moves everywhere.”
He insisted that music was never meant to be a battleground. In his view, the industry should focus on creativity, collaboration, and growth, rather than rivalry and competition.
Samklef stressed that constant comparisons between artists have harmed the culture and distracted from the art itself.
His comments quickly gained attention online and sparked intense reactions. Many social media users criticised Samklef for singling out Davido and blaming him alone for the industry’s problems.
As of the time of this report, Davido has not responded to Samklef’s allegations. The singer remains silent on the matter, despite the growing debate online.
The controversy has once again drawn attention to the issue of rivalry in Nigerian music. While competition can drive growth, many industry players believe balance is needed to protect the culture, unity, and creative spirit that helped Afrobeats gain global recognition.
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