Ayo Maff slams Naijashimadun for criticizing his style of music

A heated exchange has erupted on X between fast-rising artist Ayo Maff and influencer Naijashimadun after the latter criticized Ayo Maff’s latest song.

Naijashimadun shared a video in which he called out the singer’s sound, labeling it repetitive and arguing that his focus on street narratives makes his music less suitable for clubs.

Ayo Maff swiftly responded, defending his artistry and expressing disappointment in Naijashimadun’s remarks. Quoting the video, he wrote:

“I use to love & respect you a lot @naijashimadun. You can disrespect me, I no go talk, but do not disrespect my  art, bros. If you don’t like my music, it’s okay, you can leave me alone! Are you ok?? I’m making music for my fans, and they love it. It’s a reality you can’t relate to, and that’s fine. These songs are personal to me & my fans because it’s a reality we share. Do you know how much work I put into this stuff? How dare you try to downplay my art and tell me what to sing about?? Bros be like you wan collect?”

He continued in separate tweets, reaffirming his dedication to representing the struggles of the streets through his music:

“I will sing about how life is hard for the people in the streets one million times and even do an album about it. If you don’t like it, no problem, but don’t you dare tell me to stop singing about the pain we go through. Don’t you dare!! Ayo go paraaaaaaa ok bros @naijashimadunnn get out!!”

The 19-year-old artist also expressed frustration with the pressures to conform to mainstream themes:

“I’ve only done this music thing for like one year & I’m lucky to be here. All of a sudden, these people want to push me into the dark by telling me to change my lyrics and start singing about things I don’t know about? If you can’t relate, it’s okay, leave it. But you dey craze? Make I sing about ‘I go collect your girlfriend, comot cloth make we knack’ or what? I’m a 19-year-old boy that went through hell in life before this good phase. You want me to switch my music now? Na so Wizkid & Davido do am? You were never a fan, the real fans know this sht! It’s a movement about what I lived and what people are living out there, and the people living it hold it dearly. Egbon dey mental.”*

Ayo Maff further addressed critics who, in his view, undermine his artistic expression:

“Fck respect. Influencers dey drag me every day, I no dey talk because I know say na normal thing—people go talk their opinion. The dragging self na free PR. But when it begins to feel like you want to antagonize me, NO. He’s disrespecting what I stand for. I might be 19 years old, but I no be baby. I won’t tolerate this one, regardless of cruise. You dey America dey tell me to dial down on how much I sing about this pain? Pain wey me and millions of people still dey go through? Instead, make I sing about collecting woman underwear? @naijashimadunnn egbon, you don fck up.”

Despite his strong reaction, the singer later indicated he was moving past the situation, tweeting:

“Dem say make I lock up, no yawa, I go lock up ❤️.”