Popular Nigerian rapper, Sodiq Abubakar Yusuf a.k.a CDQ has sparked conversation in the entertainment industry after claiming that powerful “cabal” structures and informal groups heavily influence success in the Nigerian music scene.
Speaking in a recent interview with content creator JBrandy, the Nowo Soke crooner, suggested that many artists struggle to break through unless they are connected to certain networks, which he described as gangs, caucuses, or even cult-like associations.
According to him, the industry has evolved into an environment where affiliation often matters as much as talent or hard work.
“The music industry has turned to a game of belonging to a particular caucus, gang or cult before anyone could actually help you,” he said.
He further added that artists who manage to succeed without such affiliations should consider themselves fortunate.
“So, if you are able to achieve success in the music industry without associating with any cabal or cult group, you should be grateful to God,” he said.
‘You May Spend Money and Get Nothing Back’
CDQ also warned that artists who operate outside these alleged networks risk investing heavily in their careers without guaranteed returns.
“If you don’t belong to a particular cult group, you might probably spend a lot of money and not see anything in return,” he added.
Call for Industry Reform
Despite his strong claims, the rapper emphasized that he is not advocating for the continuation of such practices. Instead, he called on artists, record label executives, and stakeholders to work toward eliminating any association between music business success and gang or cult affiliations.
His remarks add to ongoing discussions about gatekeeping, influence networks, and fairness within the Nigerian entertainment industry, where many upcoming artists continue to struggle for visibility and support in an increasingly competitive space.