Nigerian rapper Emeka Akumefule, popularly known as Blaqbonez, has urged fans not to judge artists solely based on streaming numbers and chart positions, pointing out that these figures can be easily manipulated.
The rapper made the comments while responding to a fan who accused him of hypocrisy for celebrating his diss track aimed at Odumodublvck, ‘ACL’, after it reached number one on Apple Music Nigeria.
Blaqbonez clarified that he has never dismissed the importance of charts but believes that an artist’s worth should not be measured only by numbers.
“I never talked down on the charts, it’d always be exciting but no artist should be defined by it. Most of the artists I’m currently listening to in Naija are not up on our charts,” he wrote on his X handle.
He also emphasized that streaming figures can be influenced and manipulated, and encouraged fans to appreciate music based on its quality rather than metrics.
“You guys are quick to label someone a failure depending on numbers that we know can easily be manipulated. Use your ears sometimes, if something is good it’s good, that’s all I’m saying,” Blaqbonez added.
The rapper’s remarks highlight his ongoing stance that chart success is not the sole indicator of artistic talent in Nigeria’s music scene.
