Baba Fryo also urges Nigerian artists and music executives to return to prioritising quality music over trends and social media virality.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigerian singer Friday Igwe, better known as Baba Fryo, has revisited the recent controversy in which Wizkid compared himself to the late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, claiming it was a stunt aimed at promoting his joint Extended Play (EP) with Asake, ‘Real’.
He made the assertion recently while appearing as a guest on the latest episode of the ‘I Say What I Say’ podcast.
According to the veteran artist, most singers are resorting to stunts for virality because it is now difficult to secure a hit song.
Speaking on the show, he said: “It takes a lot to get a mega-hit now. Some even pull stunts. You see the one about ‘Wizkid is greater than Fela’; all of those are stunts.
“A lot of artists spark controversy on purpose so that people will stream their songs. It takes a lot to get a hit now because they have raised the bar so high.”
Baba Fryo further explained that during his era, bagging a hit was easier because it depended on the quality of the music and genuine public acceptance, requiring minimal promotion.
He blamed industry players—including DJs, music executives, and the artists themselves—for the current bottlenecks in securing hits, claiming they sabotage quality music in favour of chasing trends.
He concluded by urging Nigerian artists and music executives to return to prioritising quality music over trends and social media virality.
