Nigerian rapper Erigga has sparked debate online after claiming that the rise of tech gurus and social media influencers in the entertainment industry has negatively affected the quality of Nigerian music.
Speaking on social media, the rapper lamented that the industry began to lose its creative depth when tech experts replaced traditional A&R (Artists and Repertoire) professionals, who were known for discovering and nurturing genuine talent.
“Everything begin spoil when the Tech Bros enter music come replace actual A&Rs wey know talents, wey know how to nurture and groom talents,” Erigga said.
He explained that most of the new tech-driven players in the music business focus on numbers, trends, and online visibility rather than artistic value and long-term development.
“Tech guys don’t care about the music; what they care about is numbers and metrics. They can’t actually scout talents. They scout momentum. Once the momentum drops, they move to the next person,” he added.
Erigga further criticised how social media drama and influencer culture have hijacked public attention, making it harder for musicians to sustain fan interest.
“Back then, an artist’s competition used to be other musicians. But right now, you fit drop one hot track like this, next thing—GehGeh and VeryDarkMan don dey fight, and the public attention will move from your song to their saga,” he lamented.
Many fans have since reacted to Erigga’s comments, with some agreeing that the industry now prioritizes virality over creativity. Others argue that tech has opened new opportunities for artists to grow independently.
