Nigerian singer and music executive D’Prince has spoken out against what he describes as the growing commercialization of cyberbullying within the entertainment industry, warning that online harassment is increasingly being turned into a profit-driven activity.
In a series of posts shared on his X account (formerly Twitter), the Grammy-nominated artist argued that some digital platforms are now deliberately structured around controversy, targeted attacks, and paid narratives designed to generate engagement and revenue.
“Cyberbullying has increasingly become a dangerous business model in Nigeria, to the extent that some podcasts and media platforms are now created primarily to monetise paid narratives, controversy, and targeted online attacks,” he said.
D’Prince noted that while entertainers already face significant pressure to sustain their careers in a competitive industry, the added burden of coordinated online harassment can have serious consequences on mental health and emotional well-being.
“No amount of internet clout is worth an artist’s mental health, dignity, or emotional well-being,” he added.
The music executive, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Jonzing World Entertainment, condemned what he described as orchestrated online attacks driven by propaganda, engagement farming, and financial incentives rather than genuine criticism.
He warned that the trend is not limited to the music industry, suggesting that similar patterns of digital manipulation are becoming more widespread across social media platforms.
Calling for stronger accountability in digital media, D’Prince urged journalists, podcasters, and content creators to adopt higher ethical standards to curb what he referred to as “toxic fanaticism” online.
He further appealed to social media users to be more mindful of the impact of their words, stressing that there is a fine line between harmless online banter and harmful cyberbullying.
“Let us choose empathy over cruelty, because every single person is fighting battles the world may never see,” he said.