Afrobeats singer Jaywon has weighed in on ongoing conversations within the music industry, urging young artistes to rethink how they define success following the recent online exchange involving Seun Kuti and Wizkid.
In a post shared on Instagram, Jaywon expressed concern that many emerging artistes equate greatness with streaming numbers, online recognition, and financial influence. According to him, this narrow focus risks overlooking the deeper purpose of music.
The singer stressed that the true power of music lies in its ability to inspire change, influence thinking, and connect emotionally with listeners, rather than in chart positions or digital metrics.
Jaywon pointed to legendary musicians such as Bob Marley and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti as examples of artistes whose work continues to resonate across generations. He noted that their relevance today is rooted in the messages and impact of their music, not the numbers it generated at the time of release.
He added that while streams, publicity, and commercial success have their place, they do not automatically define artistic excellence or legacy.
Jaywon’s comments come amid renewed debates within Nigeria’s music space about artistry, relevance, and the evolving standards by which success is measured in the digital era. His remarks have since sparked conversations online, with fans and industry observers weighing in on the balance between commercial success and cultural impact.
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