Samklef, a well-known Nigerian record producer, has stirred controversy by accusing singer Davido of introducing toxicity and rivalry into the country’s music scene.
The comments came in response to a tweet by fellow producer-turned-singer Pheelz, who lamented the increasing culture of comparisons among artists. Pheelz wrote, “Music was meant to be enjoyed, not to be compared. This comparison game is hurting the sound and culture more than we can ever know.”
Samklef argued that the industry once thrived on mutual respect and camaraderie, particularly during the era dominated by Wizkid and Olamide. According to him, the competitive and sometimes hostile environment emerged after Davido entered the scene.
He alleged that with Davido’s rise came a “cultist mindset,” threats, and manipulation of streaming numbers, turning what was once a space for pure creativity into a battlefield for rivalry.
“Music was fun when we started,” Samklef wrote. “When Wizkid came, there was no comparison everything was pure love. Olamide came too, same thing. No pressure, no hatred, just music. Then one Scorpio boy who moves like Diddy entered, and since then the industry turned toxic. Cultist mindset, threats, fake streams, dirty moves everywhere.”
His remarks quickly drew mixed reactions online, with many criticizing him for singling out Davido as the root of the industry’s challenges.
