Posted by Chinenye on Thu 04th Jun, 2026 - tori.ng
A veteran rapper has stirred major debate after claiming that success in the music industry is no longer driven by talent alone but influenced by hidden power structures and loyal networks.
(Veteran Nigerian rapper CDQ. Photo by Daily Post)
Veteran Nigerian rapper CDQ has made a bold claim that the country's music industry is largely under the grip of powerful cabals and gang networks, making it extremely difficult for artists who operate outside these circles to find meaningful success.
In a recent interview with content creator JBrandy, the rapper behind the hit "Nowo Soke" alleged that the industry has evolved into a space where belonging to a particular clique, gang, or cult group has become an unspoken prerequisite for getting ahead.
He maintained that artists who have managed to build successful careers without aligning themselves with any such group should consider themselves fortunate and give thanks to God, as their achievement goes against the prevailing tide.
He went further to warn that artists who choose to remain independent of these networks risk pouring significant financial resources into their careers without seeing any meaningful returns.
CDQ used the platform to issue a strong appeal to artists, record label executives, and other key players in the music ecosystem, urging them to collectively work towards severing the ties between gangsterism and the business of music, and to help steer the industry back towards a space built on talent, hard work, and fair opportunity.