Israel DMW Throws Shade at Wizkid Over “001” Claim Amid Ongoing Afrobeats Supremacy Debate
The long-running debate over who truly holds the crown in Nigeria’s Afrobeats scene has flared up again — and this time, Davido’s loyal aide Israel DMW has entered the conversation with his trademark humor and spice.
It all started when Wizkid boldly declared himself the “001” of the Nigerian music industry in a post shared on his Instagram story. The declaration reignited the ever-present rivalry between the three Afrobeats heavyweights — Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid — each of whom boasts massive global success and loyal fanbases.
However, Israel DMW wasn’t having any of it. Taking to the comment section of a viral post about Wizkid’s statement, he threw a light jab, writing:
“Na by mouth? Drop gbedus shit.”
The comment, typical of Israel’s unfiltered online persona, quickly spread across social media, drawing laughter from Davido’s fans and reigniting fan wars between supporters of the “Big 3.”
This latest episode follows Tiwa Savage’s recent take on the issue, where she playfully labeled Davido as “001” and Burna Boy as “002,” leaving Wizkid notably out of the ranking — a move that further stirred social media reactions.
💭 Opinion: Why the “001” Debate Says More About Fan Culture Than Music Itself
Let’s be honest — Nigeria’s music scene is big enough for all three kings. Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy have each shaped Afrobeats in unique ways, taking the sound from Lagos to London, New York, and beyond.
But the constant “who’s number one?” debate often distracts from the real story — how far Afrobeats has come. It’s no longer about bragging rights; it’s about impact, longevity, and global resonance.
Israel DMW’s comment might sound like banter (and maybe it is), but it also reflects how fans have turned music excellence into a sport — one with tribal loyalty, Twitter wars, and endless comparison charts.
At the end of the day, though, the true “001” is whoever keeps pushing the sound forward, breaking barriers, and inspiring the next generation of artists.
So while the internet keeps arguing, maybe it’s time we celebrated what really matters — that Afrobeats is winning, no matter who wears the crown. 🎶👑
