Controversial rapper Speed Darlington took to social media on Monday to deride fellow musicians from his country for failing to secure a win at the 2026 Grammy Awards, attributing their losses to a lack of influential industry ties in a jab laced with references to disgraced US mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The mockery surfaced amid disappointment in Africa’s music powerhouse, where South African sensation Tyla claimed the Best African Music Performance prize for her track “Push 2 Start,” besting Nigerian nominees including Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Omah Lay and Ayra Starr.
In a video filmed on New York City streets that quickly went viral, Darlington quipped: “Oil Grammy o, oil Grammy. If you put am for nyash, you go win Grammy. Omo, you understand me? Long face…”
He followed up with a post on X: “No Diddy no Grammy 😂😂😂😂😂😂,” implying that affiliations with figures like Combs—facing allegations of misconduct—are key to Grammy success, alluding to Burna Boy’s 2021 victory on “Twice as Tall” after Diddy’s involvement.
The comments elicited polarized responses online, with some users hailing Darlington for highlighting an “uncomfortable truth” in humorous fashion, while others lambasted him for undermining artists who have propelled Afrobeats to international acclaim.
