Veteran Nigerian singer, Paul Okoye, popularly known as RudeBoy, has taken a swipe at the growing trend among emerging music artistes who glamorise smoking in their music and visualiser videos, describing it as unhealthy and misleading.
The former member of the iconic P-Square duo voiced his concern in a strongly worded post on his official social media page on Friday. According to him, many upcoming artistes now appear to believe that smoking—especially marijuana—is synonymous with being fashionable or successful in the music industry.
“Don’t tell me it’s swag,” RudeBoy wrote. “You’re smoking N50k weed and battling N1k Indomie without egg. Eat better and stop thinking it’s swag.”
He expressed disappointment over what he described as misplaced priorities among young entertainers who spend lavishly on drugs and smoking paraphernalia, but often struggle with basic needs such as feeding and healthcare. He added that many of them appear weak and malnourished, yet continue to portray a false image of wealth and sophistication online.
“Some of you look sick already, and you’re still calling it swag,” he warned.
RudeBoy’s remarks have sparked mixed reactions across social media platforms. While some users commended him for speaking truth to a growing concern, others accused him of being overly critical and failing to understand the pressures many rising artistes face in the industry.
Despite the backlash, the seasoned artiste maintained that there is nothing admirable about glorifying harmful habits, especially when such behaviours influence young fans who look up to musicians as role models.
This is not the first time RudeBoy has publicly addressed issues affecting the entertainment scene. Known for his blunt opinions, he has consistently used his platform to advocate for discipline, authenticity, and responsible living among Nigerian artistes.
As debates continue to trail his comments, industry observers say his message adds to the wider conversation about the impact of lifestyle choices on the image and health of Nigerian entertainers.
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