Entertainment
Davido and Jesse Jagz Clash in Viral X Feud
The Nigerian digital landscape was set ablaze this week as two heavyweights of the music industry, Davido and Jesse Jagz, engaged in a vitriolic exchange on X, formerly Twitter. What began as a routine promotional post by the Afrobeats superstar quickly spiraled into a deeply personal confrontation, touching on wealth, legacy, and lifestyle choices. The incident has left fans and industry observers divided, marking one of the most unexpected celebrity “beefs” of the year.
The friction ignited on Wednesday when Davido, known for his high-energy social media presence, shared a cryptic post referencing the Amapiano genre. “I go use Amapiano yenk you,” the singer wrote, seemingly teasing a new musical project or responding to a previous conversation. While the post initially garnered the usual fanfare, it caught the attention of veteran rapper Jesse Jagz, who expressed a contrary sentiment that resonated with a segment of the audience.
Jesse Jagz, a highly respected lyricist and brother to rap mogul M.I Abaga, responded with a succinct but pointed comment: “We don tire.” The remark appeared to be a critique of the saturation of Amapiano-influenced tracks in the Nigerian music scene. However, Davido did not take the critique lightly, launching a fierce counter-attack that shifted the focus from musical preferences to personal insults and financial superiority.
Visibly angered by the rapper’s interjection, Davido responded with a series of explosive claims. He alleged that Jagz’s dismissive comment was influenced by substance use, urging the rapper to “stop taking drugs.” In a display of his “OBO” (Omo Baba Olowo) persona, Davido escalated the stakes by boasting about his immense wealth. “I will buy your life,” the singer retorted, adding that Jagz had more pressing personal concerns to worry about rather than criticizing his music.
The “buy your life” comment immediately became a lightning rod for controversy, as users on X debated the ethics of using wealth as a weapon in creative disagreements. Jesse Jagz, known for his stoic and often philosophical approach to music, did not back down. He returned to the platform to warn Davido against disrespecting his elders and his legacy in the Nigerian hip-hop space.
“Everyone know who d best is. You cannot buy life little bro, be respectful,” Jagz fired back. The rapper’s response sought to neutralize Davido’s financial flex by emphasizing that human life and artistic integrity possess an intrinsic value that no amount of money or influence can purchase. The exchange highlighted the long-standing tension between the commercial juggernauts of Afrobeats and the “purist” circles of Nigerian rap.
As the back-and-forth intensified, the rhetoric turned even more acidic. In a series of posts that were later deleted, Jesse Jagz reportedly referred to the “Unavailable” crooner as “wack,” a term used in hip-hop to dismiss a performer’s talent or authenticity. The deletion of the posts suggested a moment of cooling down or perhaps legal intervention, but the screenshots had already gone viral, cementing the rift in the public consciousness.
The clash has sparked a wider conversation about the current state of the Nigerian music industry. Some fans side with Davido, arguing that as the man currently leading the global export of Nigerian sound, his confidence is justified. Others have rallied around Jesse Jagz, praising his courage to speak out against the homogeneity of radio hits and defending his right to be treated with the respect due to a veteran of the game.
Industry insiders suggest that the tension may be deeper than a simple disagreement over a music genre. The “Amapiano” debate has been a recurring theme in the industry, with some artists feeling that the South African-born sound has overshadowed traditional Nigerian rhythms. By saying “we don tire,” Jagz gave voice to a growing fatigue among some listeners, even if the delivery hit a nerve with the genre’s most successful practitioners.
The mention of drugs by Davido was also a point of significant discussion. By bringing an artist’s health or habits into a public spat, Davido took a route that many considered “below the belt.” It raised questions about the responsibility of public figures when engaging in digital combat and whether certain topics should remain off-limits, regardless of the level of provocation.
As of Friday, neither camp has issued a formal peace treaty. The “Amapiano” post remains, as do the echoes of the “buy your life” threat. In a scene where collaborations are the lifeblood of growth, such a public falling out between a premier vocalist and a premier lyricist is seen by many as a missed opportunity for a monumental artistic partnership.
The digital footprints of this feud continue to attract thousands of comments and retweets. Whether this is a fleeting moment of social media heat or the start of a long-term rivalry remains to be seen. However, for now, the rift between Davido and the “Emperor” Jesse Jagz serves as a stark reminder of the fragile egos and high stakes that define the upper echelons of the Nigerian entertainment world.
