Popular Nigerian singer Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, known simply as Iyanya, has weighed in on the growing concerns surrounding mediocrity in the country’s music industry, asserting that true talent will eventually stand apart from the rest.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Kukere crooner expressed optimism that the current trend of glorifying subpar artistry won’t last forever.
“At the end of the day, we will separate the wack artists from the real ones,” he wrote.
Iyanya’s comment adds to a rising conversation in the industry about declining artistic standards and the increasing use of artificial enhancers. Critics have pointed to an overreliance on auto-tune, ghostwriters, and inflated streaming statistics as symptoms of a wider issue.
Rappers like Blaqbonez and Odumodublvck have both publicly criticised the alleged use of “streaming farms” — illegal practices used to artificially boost play counts and chart positions.
Meanwhile, leading figures in the industry have denied any involvement. Music executive Don Jazzy has firmly dismissed claims that he pays for fake streams to promote artists signed to his label, Mavin Records. Similarly, singer Shallipopi has refuted allegations that he paid N9 million to buy streams for his music.
Despite such denials, the debate around authenticity and quality in Nigerian music continues to intensify.
Iyanya’s remarks come as a rallying cry for a return to merit-based recognition in the industry. While the spotlight may currently shine on trend-driven artists, he believes that in the long run, genuine talent will prevail.
