In a recent appearance on the Beer Parlor Talk podcast, the “Mr. President” crooner—born Chinagorom Onuoha—recounted that his activism-driven lyrics attracted hostility from various groups, leaving him constantly on alert and frequently in hiding.
According to him, the pressures of the period went beyond typical industry struggles, as he alleged that security operatives and local groups pursued him because of the critical nature of his songs, which often addressed governance, inequality, and social injustice.
He claimed that at the peak of these tensions, survival required him to adopt self-defence skills, including training in martial arts, as well as seeking spiritual protection. “I am a black belter. During my time, you need to know how to fight to survive in the music industry,” he said, adding that he also engaged in spiritual practices for protection amid persistent threats.
African China further alleged that he was repeatedly targeted by groups such as the police, the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), and local street enforcers popularly known as area boys. He described a climate of fear in which he often had to rely on informants and audience signals during performances to anticipate potential confrontations.
At one point, he suggested that his ability to evade attacks was misunderstood by some, who believed he was using supernatural means to “disappear” during shows, a perception he said stemmed from heightened tension and constant surveillance.
His comments highlight the intense pressures faced by some artists in Nigeria’s conscious music movement, where socially critical lyrics have sometimes placed performers at odds with authority figures and local power structures.