Afropop sensation Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, popularly known as Iyanya, has taken a bold stance on the growing trend of mediocrity in the Nigerian music industry. In a recent post on his X handle, the ‘Kukere’ hitmaker expressed strong confidence that true artistry will always outshine superficial hype.
Iyanya wrote, “At the end of the day, we will separate the wack artists from the real ones,” a statement that has since sparked conversation across entertainment circles.
His remarks touch on a long-running concern within the music ecosystem, the apparent glorification of subpar music and the dilution of quality artistry. In recent times, critics have pointed to the increasing reliance on auto-tune, ghostwriters, and formulaic sounds as signs of a declining creative standard.
Beyond vocal manipulation, the manipulation of music statistics has also come under fire. Allegations about the existence and use of “streaming farms” platforms or setups designed to inflate streaming numbers have made headlines, with several industry insiders calling for more transparency and fairness.
Notably, rappers Blaqbonez and Odumodublvck have both publicly condemned the artificial boosting of numbers, describing it as a major threat to genuine success and competition in the industry.
Meanwhile, Mavin Records boss Don Jazzy has previously refuted claims that he uses such means to promote his signees, insisting that talent and strategy, not fake streams, drive success. Similarly, rising star Shallipopi also denied reports that he allegedly paid N9 million to manipulate streaming figures and gain chart dominance.
Despite these denials, suspicions and debates continue to swirl around the authenticity of some artists’ digital success, raising questions about the industry’s standards.
Iyanya’s post, though brief, adds to the growing call for a reset; a return to rewarding true creativity, originality, and hard-earned acclaim. As more artists speak up, it appears the conversation about separating hype from genuine talent is only just beginning.
