Davido Slams Veteran Promoter Paulo Okoye Over Afrobeat Comments: ‘You’re Broke’
Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido has sparked intense social media reactions after publicly labeling veteran music promoter Paulo Okoye “broke.” The drama unfolded online following Okoye’s critical remarks regarding the rising costs of booking top Nigerian artists and the current state of the global genre.
The Catalyst Behind the Clash
Paulo Okoye, who is also widely recognized as the partner of Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, had raised concerns over the astronomical fees charged by Nigeria’s leading musicians. In his commentary, he questioned whether the Afrobeat genre was “dead or in a coma” due to these prohibitive costs, hinting that the industry might be pricing itself out of sustainability.
Bankulli and Davido Fire Back
Okoye’s statement did not sit well with several key figures in the Nigerian music ecosystem. Grammy-nominated singer and music executive Bankulli was quick to counter Paulo’s narrative. Bankulli argued that the promoter’s pessimistic outlook on the genre stemmed simply from his inability to afford the booking fees of elite performers.
Supporting Bankulli’s stance, Davido entered the social media comment section to deliver a direct blow. Tagging Okoye, the “Unavailable” crooner simply wrote “broke,” agreeing with the sentiment that the promoter’s complaints were financial rather than structural.
A Surprising Turn of Events
The public exchange has surprised many industry onlookers, given the history between the two entertainment figures. Nearly two years ago, Paulo publicly defended Davido when the singer faced backlash over comments he made on The Big Homies House podcast regarding the state of the Nigerian economy.
Paulo Okoye has remained a highly visible figure in the Nigerian media space, particularly after actress Iyabo Ojo officially confirmed their romantic relationship during her 45th birthday celebrations in December 2022.
This latest clash highlights the growing tension between local promoters struggling to match international market rates and Nigerian superstars who continue to demand global premium fees.