The long-standing rivalry between Nigerian music giants Wizkid and Davido has flared up again, with Davido’s media aide Israel DMW firing shots at Wizkid following his recent declaration as the industry’s ‘001’.
The latest salvo came after Wizkid stirred online discussions by declaring himself “Big Wiz” and asserting his position as the number one in the industry. Reacting to a blog post about the declaration, Israel DMW wrote, “Na by mouth? Drop gbedus shit” – a clear challenge to Wizkid’s claim.
This isn’t the first time Israel DMW has publicly clashed with Wizkid. Last year, he defended Davido after a viral clip showed Wizkid leaving a London club when Davido arrived, shading Wizkid for appearing “weak” in Davido’s presence.
The tension between the two superstars dates back to the early days of their careers. Wizkid previously launched a scathing 24-hour social media rant against Davido, calling his career “wack” and mocking his entourage for being broke while constantly following him to international events.
Wizkid’s criticisms also targeted Davido’s alleged low endorsement deal with Puma, describing Davido’s entourage, including his lawyer, as broke followers moving from country to country without financial independence.
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Despite the attacks, Davido has stayed silent as his aides and fans defended him online. In November, Wizkid again took shots at Davido, dismissing his hit song Awuke as “Ebuka” and criticizing comparisons between their music. He asserted that Davido doesn’t match his level in music, fashion, or finances, stating that being a “001” only applies to Davido “in his house” and not in the broader music industry.
The feud continues to dominate conversations in Nigerian entertainment circles, fueling debates over who truly reigns supreme in the music scene. As one social media user recently pointed out, while Wizkid claims the top spot, his Instagram following currently stands at 18.3 million, behind Davido’s 30.7 million, Tiwa Savage’s 19.5 million, and slightly ahead of Burna Boy’s 18.4 million.
Media Executive Emmanuel Alaba notes that social media numbers “only reflect popularity and visibility in a moment, but not always career health or artistic relevance.” However, the online metrics continue to fuel the competitive fire between these Afrobeats heavyweights.
