Wizkid's Old Tweets Spark Online Controversy
Popular Nigerian music artist Ayo Balogun, widely known as Wizkid, has found himself at the center of social media controversy after decade-old posts from his X (formerly Twitter) account resurfaced online. The tweets, originally published in 2010 when the singer was 19 years old, have drawn significant criticism for their content involving a minor.
The Controversial Tweets and Immediate Fallout
The viral posts revealed Wizkid's comments about meeting and feeling attracted to a 14-year-old girl. One particular tweet that gained attention showed the young artist expressing his interest in the teenager. The situation escalated when Wizkid quickly deleted the controversial tweets after they began circulating widely, a move that ironically prompted more users to investigate his social media history.
Further complicating the matter, an old tweet from Wizkid's former label boss Banky W emerged from 2011. The post humorously referenced the incident while making a comparison to R. Kelly's well-documented scandals. Banky W had written: "So @wizkidayo likes this cute girl that came to say hi. Except she's 14. I've told him EME no get rkelly money yet ohhhh." This additional revelation has sparked conversations about the music industry's historical attitude toward underage individuals.
Mixed Public Reactions Divide Social Media
The online response to the resurfaced tweets has been sharply divided among netizens. Supporters of the Grammy-winning artist argue that the posts represent youthful indiscretion from over a decade ago. One user, @carpetmanxyx, noted: "That was 15 yrs ago, Wizkid was still a kid then." Another supporter, @AmazingHamzey, defended the singer by explaining: "This tweet was 2010. Wizkid was 19. He had a crush on a girl who looks 19 but when he find out her age was 14. He backs off and can't be with her because of her age."
However, critics have expressed serious concerns about the implications of such statements, regardless of when they were made. User @DonCorleone707 articulated the opposing viewpoint: "A 14 year old is a child. Wizkid was a 20 year old when this tweet was made which makes him an adult. The power difference is massive. Girls shouldn't grow up in a world that sexualizes them before they even know themselves."
Some commentators have pointed out perceived hypocrisy in how different celebrities are treated for similar controversies. @MezieAbia remarked: "We will now see the hypocrisy of Nigerians. Those who called for the arrest of Speed Darlington a few months ago will go mute now. Nigerians and hypocrisy."
Broader Context and Recent Events
This controversy emerges shortly after Paystack co-founder Ezra Olubi faced similar criticism for his recent social media activity. The timing has amplified discussions about accountability for public figures' past statements in the digital age.
Meanwhile, Wizkid's personal life continues to draw attention, with his daughter Morayo recently celebrating her first birthday. The singer's baby mama, Jada Pollock, shared heartfelt messages commemorating their daughter's milestone, providing a contrasting narrative to the current online drama.
As the debate continues across social media platforms, the incident raises important questions about how society should address historical social media posts from public figures and what constitutes appropriate accountability for statements made during younger years.
