Popular disc jockey and producer Imohiosen Patrick, widely known as DJ Neptune, has voiced serious concern over what he describes as the growing tendency to sideline long-standing contributors in the Nigerian music space.
Speaking in a recent interview with Hip TV, the award-winning DJ argued that many creatives are subtly pushed out once they hit certain milestones in their careers.
He described the situation as a structural issue, stressing that the industry appears eager to move on from its veterans instead of allowing them to coexist with rising acts.
According to him, “In Nigeria, once you reach a certain level they push you aside like, ‘Oya go to that corner, we’re done with you.’ It’s a structural problem. Abroad, the OGs are still as relevant as the newbies. We need to address the structural issues.”
He contrasted this with Western music industries, where established acts continue to flourish while new talents emerge.
Reflecting on how he has managed to remain influential over the years, DJ Neptune explained that staying relevant requires conscious evolution.
While admitting that he does not intend to remain active forever, he emphasized the importance of adaptability.
“Although I don’t plan to do this all my life — when it’s time to take a bow, I will. But what I have just done over the years is that I know when it’s time to re-invent. That’s life. Things are changing so you need to move with the time,” he said.
His comments add to the broader conversation about the need to create a more inclusive and sustainable structure for veteran creatives in Nigeria’s music industry.
