LagosExplorer reports: Rising Mavin Records singer, Magixx, has raised eyebrows with his explosive claim that Nigeria is no longer producing enough breakout music stars—not because talent is lacking, but because the industry is being manipulated behind closed doors.
In a candid Instagram story that has sparked widespread reaction across the entertainment space, the "Love Don’t Cost a Dime" crooner alleged that top streaming spots on platforms like Apple Music are often secured through financial muscle rather than genuine fan engagement. According to Magixx, "Almost every spot on Apple Music is bought. I’m not even capping."
This stark statement has reignited public debate over the integrity of Nigeria’s music charts and the challenges facing emerging talents in an increasingly commercialized industry.
> “Some of your favs dey buy stream, dey lie give their papa say dem blow,” he added in his Pidgin-laced post, directly accusing fellow artists of inflating success metrics to mislead the public—and even their own families.
Why Fans Are Paying Attention
Magixx, born Adelabu Alexander, is signed to Mavin Records, a top-tier label founded by Don Jazzy, which has produced several hitmakers including Rema, Ayra Starr, and Johnny Drille. His bold remarks are not isolated complaints but part of a growing outcry from artists struggling to navigate a system increasingly dictated by money, data manipulation, and strategic industry politics.
Earlier this year, rapper Blaqbonez similarly criticized the Nigerian music scene, warning that artificial charting and lack of transparency are threatening to collapse the creative ecosystem. “This is what killed iTunes charts. When people figured out how to manipulate numbers, it lost credibility,” Blaqbonez tweeted in April 2025.
With digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, and Audiomack serving as the new gatekeepers, chart rankings now heavily influence who gets booked for shows, brand endorsements, and record deals. This creates a dangerous incentive to “game” the system using bots, paid plays, and playlist placements bought through intermediaries.
Insiders have revealed that playlisting slots and influencer marketing budgets often outweigh actual promotional campaigns. An up-and-coming artist without a wealthy backer or label funding can hardly stand a chance—even if they have viral-worthy music.
Observers have noted that the Nigerian music scene has struggled to produce any truly fresh breakout acts in 2024—a rarity in a country known for churning out global talents almost yearly. In previous years, names like Asake, Seyi Vibez, Odumodublvck, and Shallipopi stormed the scene and dominated conversation.
However, this year has seen a stagnation in new voices breaking into the mainstream, with fans and critics attributing it to market saturation, audience fatigue, and the stranglehold of existing gatekeepers.
Reactions and Fallout
Magixx's blunt message has divided public opinion. While some fans applauded his courage for speaking out, others accused him of being bitter over personal underperformance. Nevertheless, the larger conversation about chart integrity and gatekeeping has been reignited, with calls for industry stakeholders to introduce more transparent mechanisms for tracking genuine audience interest.
In the comment sections of music blogs like NotJustOk and Tooxclusive, fans debated the implications:
“He’s not lying. I know three artists personally who’ve bought playlist spots. Nobody wants to talk about it,” one user wrote.
“If Magixx focused more on music and less on ranting, maybe he’d be at the top of the chart too,” said another.