Koko Master D’banj has revealed how he, 2Baba and other Afrobeat pioneers were treated during their rise to fame.
The entertainer revealed that during their best years the main music platforms did not give them the respect they deserved. Instead of being honored on the main stage, D’banj said they were constantly given their awards backstage, away from the attention they deserved.
According to him, it wasn’t because they lacked talent or impact. The system simply did not value Nigerian artists enough at the time.
Its global relevance had not yet been recognized and many awards bodies believed that African acts should be behind the scenes.
D’banj added that neither he nor 2Baba had the influence or power to challenge the system. “We couldn’t even fight for our rights,” he admitted, noting that the industry lacked the structure, boldness and digital influence that artists currently enjoy.
He explained that social networks were not a weapon in his time. There was no Twitter army to announce awards shows, no Instagram live session to expose behind-the-scenes bias, and no fan base powerful enough to shut down conversations. The artists simply acted, accepted what they were given and moved on.
The singer then pointed out Wizkid as the main turning point. He credits Starboy for rewriting the rules, attracting global attention and inspiring a new level of respect for African musicians.
According to D’banj, Wizkid’s boldness, international collaborations and massive digital presence changed the industry forever. Their rise forced awards organizers, both local and international, to recognize Afrobeats artists prominently and publicly.
He maintained that the Wizkid era brought the confidence they always wanted: the courage to demand respect, reject unfair treatment and stand bravely on the main stage.