Nigerian Afrobeats artist Jaywon has publicly dismissed claims that he supports one side in the ongoing rivalry between fellow musicians Wizkid and Davido, two of the genre’s most prominent stars. Addressing speculation on social media, the singer emphasized that his professional relationship with Davido does not equate to hostility toward Wizkid, calling the narrative “absurd” and urging critics to rethink their assumptions.
In a recent TikTok video, the “This Year” hitmaker, whose real name is Iledare Ajibola Samuel, questioned the logic behind fan theories linking his friendship with Davido to tensions involving Wizkid. The debate stems from a long-simmering, widely publicized feud between the two Grammy-nominated artists, whose fanbases often clash online. Jaywon, however, rejected the idea of being dragged into the dispute. “So because I’m close to Davido, that has automatically made me an enemy of Wizkid?” he asked in the clip, visibly perplexed. “Please make it make sense. Make me understand this. I don’t get it.”
The singer’s remarks highlight broader discussions about loyalty and competition within the Afrobeats industry, where public alliances between artists frequently spark scrutiny. Both Wizkid and Davido, often dubbed rivals despite occasional collaborations, have dominated African music charts for over a decade, with their occasional indirect exchanges fueling media coverage and fan debates. Jaywon, known for hits like “Filebe” and “Odun Yi,” has collaborated with Davido in the past, including on the 2022 track “Breeze,” which likely intensified perceptions of bias.
Social media reactions to Jaywon’s video have been mixed, with some users arguing that artists should not be forced to “choose sides,” while others speculate about unspoken tensions. Industry analysts note that such narratives often overshadow the collaborative spirit central to Afrobeats’ global rise. Since emerging from Nigeria in the 2010s, the genre has become a cultural ambassador for Africa, with its artists frequently uniting on international stages.
Jaywon’s critique aligns with calls for focusing on music over drama, a sentiment echoed by other Nigerian stars like Burna Boy and Tiwa Savage, who have historically avoided public entanglements. His TikTok statement, viewed over 150,000 times, underscores how musicians increasingly use direct social media engagement to clarify their positions amid fan-driven controversies.
As Afrobeats continues to gain global traction, the incident serves as a reminder of the pressures artists face in balancing personal relationships, fan expectations, and industry dynamics. For now, Jaywon’s message remains clear: affiliation with one artist should not imply opposition to another. “Let’s focus on the music,” he added in the video’s comments, urging supporters to prioritize unity over division.
