Davido, Erigga trade words on ‘family money’ remarks

Nigerian rapper Erhiga Agarivbie, popularly known as Erigga, and Afrobeats star David Adeleke, fondly called Davido, have traded words on X over comments about family wealth and success in the music industry.

The exchange began after Erigga posted on X, praising musicians who had built their careers without financial backing from wealthy families.

“Shoutout to all the musicians who don’t come from family money and had to grind for every single dollar they earn,” he wrote.

Davido, who quoted the post, responded by acknowledging musicians from wealthy backgrounds who had also worked to establish successful careers.

“No be we say make your pops no guard o. Shoutout to the ones that came from family money and still grind to the top. Comot here with that your useless motivation … slowpoke,” Davido wrote.

He followed up by questioning the appeal of poverty, writing, “Deep down, who like poverty?”

Davido also said he would eventually leave music and focus on making money.

“No worry o I go soon leave their music for una go make my billions… then that shit gonna be boring AF,” he wrote.

Erigga subsequently responded, questioning Davido’s reaction to his original post, which did not mention him by name.

“Because ur papa get money make we no happy again for our small wins??? I’m disappointed IN YOU SLOVIDO. NA ME U WAN BULLY? NA ME U WAN OPPRESS?” Erigga wrote.

He also described Davido as the “Ambassador of RICH KIDS” while urging him to motivate himself.

“Big man pikin dey cry say poor men children de hail dem self??? Motivate your self naw. Ambassador of RICH KIDS,” he wrote.

In another post, Erigga said people could interpret the exchange as they wished, adding that not everyone understood the issue.

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“SHAPE THE NARRATIVE HOW YOU WANT BUT NOT EVERYONE IN THIS SPACE IS SLOW … Streets is calling!!!!” he wrote.

Erigga further criticised the use of medical conditions as insults, saying such conditions should not be used to ridicule people.

“Big love to everyone on the spectrum, Down syndrome, autism, etc… it can never be cool to insult people with a disease,” he wrote.

The exchange has generated reactions from social media users, with some supporting Erigga’s celebration of artistes who built their careers without family wealth.

Others, however, agreed with Davido’s view that coming from a wealthy family does not necessarily eliminate the need for hard work.

The banter has also reignited discussions about privilege, family wealth and the different paths through which musicians build successful careers.