Prominent Nigerian Afrobeats singers Magixx and Blaqbonez have openly accused some of their industry colleagues of artificially inflating their music chart numbers, raising concerns about the integrity of music rankings in the country. Their statements, made via social media platform 𝕏, suggest a damaging trend within the industry.
Magixx, in a direct post, expressed his disapproval, stating, “Y’all faking your numbers I hope you sleep well at night… keep deceiving your family members.” His comment points to a belief that some artists are deliberately manipulating their streams and sales to achieve higher chart positions.
Similarly, rapper Blaqbonez voiced his frustration, asserting that the industry is severely “damaged” and that chart rankings have become more a reflection of financial capacity to buy streams rather than the actual quality or genuine popularity of music. He highlighted the potential long-term harm this practice could inflict on the Nigerian music scene.
Blaqbonez cited Ayra Starr’s song “Hot Body” as a clear example of a deserving hit that, despite its quality, failed to reach the top 10 on Nigerian charts. He lamented, “The irreversible damage we done to our industry, one day it’d finally come crumbling down, for now let’s keep acting like the charts mean anything more than a showcase of the people who can afford to buy it, its like itunes in the 2000s all over again. make i go hustle.” He added, “Ayra Hot body never enter top 10 NG, when we know that song should be number 1 or top 3, but how dem go let am, when she never do industry agriculture.” His use of “industry agriculture” alludes to illicit practices of boosting numbers.
These accusations from Magixx and Blaqbonez underscore a growing concern among artists and stakeholders about the authenticity of music chart performance, calling for greater transparency and fair play within the industry.
