Davido calls Paulo Okoye 'broke' over Afrobeat artiste fees, reigniting industry feud
Davido tagged Iyabo Ojo's partner Paulo Okoye as "PAUL O AKA PAUL BROKE" in DAILY POST's comments section after Paulo questioned if Afrobeat is "dead or in coma" due to high fees charged by top Nigerian artistes. Bankulli, the Grammy-nominated singer, backed Davido's claim, saying Paulo made the remarks because he cannot afford to book leading Afrobeat stars.
This public exchange comes nearly two years after Paulo defended Davido during the singer's controversial "Nigeria economy is in shambles" statement on The Big Homies House podcast. Paulo, Iyabo Ojo's confirmed partner since her December 2022 birthday celebration, is described as a billionaire music promoter in the industry.
The feud highlights ongoing tensions in Nigeria's music business over artiste pricing and accessibility. With top Afrobeat commands reportedly reaching millions per show, the debate raises questions about who gets to participate in the genre's growth—established promoters with deep pockets or emerging players. What does this say about the current state of Afrobeat's economics and opportunities for new entrants in Nigeria's music scene?