A Ghanaian media personality, Teacher Amma, has ignited a fierce debate by suggesting that the phenomenal global success of Nigerian artists is not solely the result of talent and strategy, but also of “spiritual” backing from traditional priests known as babalawos.
The remarks were made on the One King Multimedia platform, in an episode discussing Burna Boy’s record-breaking achievement of becoming the African artist with the most Billboard Hot 100 entries.
Amma did not mince words. “I know my Nigerian brothers wouldn’t agree or wouldn’t like what I’m going to say, but I am made to feel like there is something spiritual behind the success that Nigerians are talking about,” he stated.
“Getting on a Billboard chart is nothing new. Ghanaian musicians are doing their best, South African musicians are doing their best, but why is it always the Nigerians?” he then added, “Apart from the good music, the marketing, the promotion, the plugs that they have, there is some sort of spirituality behind whatever they are doing… I wish they would come out and tell us the truth. We have some babalawos somewhere who are giving us that backing.”
His comments were met with strong opposition from other panellists, who rejected the mystical explanation outright.
They argued that the success of the Nigerian music industry is rooted in concrete and measurable factors: a massive and highly competitive domestic market, aggressive international marketing strategies, strategic collaborations with global superstars, and a continuous pipeline of talent and high-quality production.
The panel also contrasted the Nigerian scene with the Ghanaian industry, questioning why, despite considerable talent in Ghana, artists struggle to attain similar global benchmarks. The “spiritual” argument, however, was dismissed as a diversion from substantive conversations about industry structure, investment, and national creative policies.
This is not the first time such spiritual accusations have surfaced in the West African music rivalry, but Amma’s blunt invocation of babalawos as the secret weapon has drawn particular attention.
As the debate rages online, many Nigerian fans and industry watchers have simply responded with a mix of mockery and pride, pointing to the hard work behind the music. For them, the only spirit required is the one that moves you to the dance floor.
