The Nigerian music industry has been thrust into fresh controversy following a heated exchange between Wizkid and Afrobeat legend 2Baba after he ranked Burna Boy as the country’s top global artist.
2Baba, born Innocent Ujah Idibia, appeared on a recent interview with broadcaster Seun Okinbaloye to discuss the ongoing “Big 3” debate, a contentious topic that has divided fans and industry observers for years.
The term refers to Nigeria’s three most internationally successful artists: Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy, who have collectively elevated Afrobeat to unprecedented global heights.
When pressed on which of the three reigns supreme internationally, 2Baba didn’t mince words. “On the global stage,” the veteran artist stated, naming Burna Boy as his top choice among Nigeria’s contemporary music elite.
The comment appears to have struck a nerve with Wizkid, who took to Snapchat with an unusually personal attack on the respected industry veteran. In a post dripping with dismissiveness, the “Essence” hitmaker referred to 2Baba as “old man” and suggested he should resolve personal matters before weighing in on music discourse.
“At least make peace with your family first before having opinions about music. Old man,” Wizkid wrote, adding cryptically, “I’m never letting it slack in 2026.”
The reference to family issues appears to allude to 2Baba’s well-documented personal struggles, a low blow that has drawn criticism from industry watchers who view the attack as unnecessarily harsh and disrespectful to one of Nigerian music’s founding fathers.
This latest outburst comes just months after Wizkid declared himself Nigeria’s “number one Afrobeat star,” a proclamation that has fueled ongoing debates about hierarchy within the industry’s upper echelon. The self-proclaimed status has been met with resistance from supporters of both Davido and Burna Boy, each of whom can claim impressive international achievements.
The timing of Wizkid’s reaction raises questions about the sensitivities surrounding the “Big 3” conversation, which has become increasingly fraught as all three artists compete for dominance on the global stage. While healthy competition has historically driven innovation in the industry, recent exchanges suggest the rivalry may be taking a more personal turn.
This topic continues to generate heated discussion across social media platforms, with fans of all parties weighing in on both the rankings and the appropriateness of Wizkid’s response.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Wizkid publicly attacked veteran artist 2Baba on social media after he ranked Burna Boy as Nigeria’s top global artist during an interview.
Wizkid resorted to personal insults, calling 2Baba “old man” and telling him to “make peace with your family first”—a low blow referencing the veteran’s personal struggles.
The incident highlights how the “Big 3” rivalry (Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy) is becoming increasingly toxic, with legitimate artistic discussions devolving into disrespectful personal attacks.
