Music executive and Grammy nominee Abisagboola Oluseun Yeezuz, popularly known as Bankulli, has publicly challenged celebrity show promoter Paulo Okoye following his recent comments on the state of the Afrobeat genre.
Paulo Okoye had previously taken to Instagram to suggest that Afrobeat might face a decline by 2026. He expressed concerns that the rising booking fees for top artists are becoming unsustainable, making it difficult for both independent promoters and corporate brands to secure performances.
In a direct rebuttal, Bankulli described Okoye’s assessment as inaccurate. He argued that the genre remains vibrant and successful, evidenced by the continued wealth and acquisition of luxury assets by artists. Bankulli suggested that Okoye’s frustration stems from a personal inability to afford current artist fees rather than an actual stagnation of the music scene.
Sharing video evidence of recent successful events, Bankulli emphasized that the industry is experiencing a natural evolution of sound rather than a collapse. He noted that while the pricing landscape for Nigerian artists has changed, the industry remains robust. He concluded by advising that if certain artists are now considered too expensive, promoters should explore other talented performers who possess strong fanbases.
