American rapper Meek Mill is under fire for asking how Nigerians and South Africans stream music in Africa, insinuating that the continent is not technologically advanced.
The Philadelphia-born artiste has been criticised since Saturday following a tweet on his X handle, where he asked if he’s a big name in other continents, especially Africa.
The tweet read, “Do a lot of people play my music in South Africa? I remember having one big show their (sic) few years back … how do y’all listen to our music in South Africa???? On what platform or in Nigeria?”
Backlash trailed Meek Mill’s tweet, as Nigerians and South African X users tagged it “demeaning”.
While the singer may have started the conversation with his question, the response from African fans turned it into an entertainment spectacle, proving that the audience always has the final say when it comes to music.
Here are some responses from various X users:
@dme_363 said, “I don’t know about South Africa and Nigeria, but here in Namibia, we take empty bottles to communicate with the ancestors, and your music starts playing from the clouds.”
@47kasz said, “We contribute money to one virgin male and send to America for five years. He comes back and teaches the whole community. Shey you are daft!!!”
@royzkingin said, “Since Nicki Minaj leave you, you just dey craze dey go.”
@Ori_RSA said, “We use anuses of elephants to listen to your music. That’s why we consume it in our ears as trash.”
@Remmzor said, “Are you dull? Which kind of demeaning tweet be this, Omo eru.”
@NalaThokozane said, “The honest answer is NO. We don’t play your music. Most of us prefer good music across genres.”
@kheswa_thenjiwe said, “Don’t come to South Africa, stay there. We don’t need you here.”
@ShaunKeyz said, “The same way yall listen to amapiano in your country, it’s the same way we listen to your trash songs, man. Don’t try to revive your dead career by disrespecting us.”
@AjeboDanny said, “The music you did with Davido, where did you think the streams came from, Oponu that’s why Nicki Minaj left you. How do we listen to music.”
@dramadelinquent tweeted, “Well, we get our pet lions to run away from crocodiles, and it generates electricity. From there, we use polystyrene cups and plug it (sic) into our iPhones and hope we hear something. You fucking nonce.”
Despite the internet bashing, netizens highlighted the popularity of some of his tracks, reminding him that his music is indeed well-received in Africa, and it may be time for him to explore the diverse music culture on the continent.
