Music executive, Ubi Franklin, has explained why it may be difficult for Nigerian superstars Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy, often referred to as Afrobeats’ “Big 3,” to collaborate on a project.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Afropolitan podcast, Franklin said their positions as the “Big 3” make them rivals rather than collaborators, likening it to the competition between top Nigerian banks.
“It would be difficult for Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy to come together. I will speak for Davido, I have never heard him for once say something ill about Wizkid or Burna Boy. And I’m sure it’s the same for them. But the environment [industry] they are will make it difficult for them to work together,” he said.
Franklin, who manages Davido, stressed that while the rivalry exists, it is not personal. He maintained that the perceived tension among the stars is largely driven by the competitive nature of the music industry.
“In every industry, there is the big 3,” he added.
Davido’s manager Asa Asika believes that if Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy collaborated more, it would significantly advance Afrobeats globally and commercially, similar to the success seen in Latin music through star collaborations. However, despite fans’ wishes and some openness expressed by the artists, the rivalry and industry environment create barriers that hinder them from working collectively.
Davido himself has acknowledged the strained personal relationships in an intereview with he Breakfast club earlier this year, he stated that although collaboration isn’t impossible, there are people around them who discourage it.
“It’s not impossible. It’s just the people around us who wouldn’t want that to happen,” Davido explained
