Veteran Fuji musician Alhaji Kollington Ayinla has revealed what usually cause conflict and rivalry among Yoruba musicians who often like to intentional strategies used to keep their music engaging and maintain audience interest.
Speaking in an interview on the Teju Babyface YouTube channel, the music icon revealed that the Yoruba music scene thrives on a mix of rhythm, lyrical dexterity, and interpersonal drama.
Musicians deliberately engage in verbal jabs and perceived rivalries not out of genuine animosity but to fuel public intrigue and expand their fan base.
The culture of competitive banter, he noted, has been a staple of the industry for decades, spanning generations from his own contemporaries like Barrister, Ebenezer Obey, and Sunny Ade, to modern stars such as Taye Currency, Saheed Osupa, and Pasuma.
Kollington’s comments offer a compelling explanation for the recurring cycles of “beef” in Yoruba music, a phenomenon often criticized for promoting division but now revealed to be, at least in part, a marketing tool. The calculated drama, according to him, keeps fans emotionally invested and fuels the vibrancy of the genre.
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He said: “To tell you the truth, we Yoruba musicians often intentionally insult one another. If we don’t create fight or drama among ourselves, our audience will lose interest. So, we add a bit of drama to our music by throwing jabs at each other. This helps keep people engaged and grow our fanbase. I had disagreements with Barrister, and even Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade had their own disputes. If you look at today’s generation, it’s the same pattern with the likes of Taye Currency, Saheed Osupa, and Pasuma.
Watch interview below
