In August 2016, Nigerian music star Iyanya threatened a radio host for trivial reasons
This comes on the heels of the singer making the news several times recently regarding his relationship with Ubi Franklin
While they both deny any rifts, insiders say things have fallen apart between both men
In all, it has been a trying period for the entertainer as he struggles to regain dominance in the industry
As the Nigerian music industry continues to put us in the forefront of positive recognition in the international communities, several other lapses remain prominent as per unprofessionalism and image management among our local celebrities.
Often, it appears that Nigerian celebrities don’t understand the essence of being public figures or the worth of being a public figure. Daily, we see acts totally in discordance with expectations of them, perhaps they need a new memo that helps them understand that upon attaining celebrity status they have signed up for something major especially concerning public expectations.
The newest of these infamous acts is from none other than Iyanya who has been in the news a few times in the news than she has in a while owing to his rumoured fracas with Ubi Franklin.
While they have both come out to debunk the reports, insiders say all is far from okay with both men.
So Iyanya put a call across to a Hit FM On Air Personality (OAP) based in Calabar and issued an open threat for being talked about and ridiculed during the radio show.
According to a NET exclusive, the radio host who also doubles as a comedian went on air on August 2, 2016 and gave his opinions on the sticky situation between Iyanya and Ubi, then went on to add that he wonders if Iyanya has plans to return to Calabar where he started from following the separation.
Now, while this is a bit unclear, here’s what Iyanya said in the leaked phone conversation:
“I don’t depend on my strive, but I depend on God to take me further, this is Iyanya speaking, brother let this be the first and the last time that you will make that kind of statement that you made about me on your show.
“I have never had any issue with you, don’t ever in your whole life mention my issue with Ubi on your show. I’ve had different people call me to make that report, the next time you do I’ll show you another side of me.”
The OAP not taking matters lying down has reportedly gotten the police involved. But who wouldn’t?
According to reports from NET, the OAP expressed shock and disappointment in the Kukere singer saying:
“I was shocked at Iyanya’s phone call. I’m a comedian and OAP, my show is a comedy show in pidgin English. All I did was make jokes from the situation, which is what anyone else would have done. I only feel bad because I’m sure he would not do that to any OAP in Lagos; he did it to me because he feels I’m in Calabar and he can just threaten me like that.”
All of this is disturbing and unethical among other things.
The above statement from the singer is as worrying as it gets and while there is a paucity of orderliness in the local entertainment industry, matters of this sort could escalate if unchecked.
From Wizkid to Davido, Cynthia Morgan, Tiwa Savage, Seyi Shay, P-Square, Freeze and Basketmouth, Toyin Aimakhu and then Iyanya, this has been one hell of a year in terms of Nigerian celebrities stirring controversies. And what’s funny is some of these incidents are quite simply avoidable and petty, to say the least.
One tries to stay hopeful that things will pan out well in this particular situation but the nascent condition of Nigerian entertainment ensures that impossible is nothing as hardly does one controversy fizzle out before another makes the news.
Iyanya has been on a major struggle in recent times, a struggle occasioned by the inability of his songs to pop across urban radio in Nigeria and the slightly-veiled displacement he’s suffered at Triple MG with youngster Tekno’s recent dominance, among other things. He is under intense pressure to reinvent himself and it’s beginning to show however hard he’s tried to conceal this.
This is clearly a trying time for the one-time A-list singer and performer, but clearly the machismo and energetic displays don’t cut it anymore hence the uncontrolled burst of anger which some have described as frustration.
Things are not the same as he strives to get back on the frontline of a music industry he once dominated. It can be trying and painful but the greater trial is in conducting himself in the most appropriate ways possible so that he doesn’t self-destruct and lose everything in its entirety.
Word from a little bird close to us is that Ubi’s marriage to Lilian Esoro could have a hand in the regressive relationship between him and Iyanya.
Another insider tells us the Oreo crooner isn’t as financially buoyant as he used to be and with dwindling fortunes owing to reduced show time and performance fees, and then Ubi’s attention tilting more towards his wife, it’s only natural that there’s a rift in the house.
All of these are unconfirmed, but we know for a fact that there’s been some water under the bridge between these men.
Hopefully they are nothing irreconcilable, but wanting out of a record label you co-own – something of a rarity in all honesty – says a lot.
It is no news that Iyanya will be releasing a new album soon under a new label he intends setting up, even as he has pitched his tent with Temple Management Company in a partnership deal announced in July, 2016.
At the moment it is somewhat difficult saying what’s next for the man but we stay hopeful that he sorts himself out in due time and realizes the importance of being shrewd as a public figure.
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