Singer Kelly Hansome has alleged that Flavour struggled to sell out his London show because Yoruba fans did not support him, claiming that the situation would have been different if the artist were Wizkid.
Speaking about the Nigerian music scene, Kelly Hansome questioned why Yoruba fans who support other Nigerian artistes would not turn out for an Igbo artiste.
“Flavour went to London. Flavour could not sell out the same venue where Wizkid sells out easily. Who are the people who were supposed to buy those tickets? Yoruba people. But when it’s an Igbo artist, they don’t want to buy tickets. That’s why he could not sell out the show,” he said.
The singer also defended his decision to speak openly about issues he believes are true, saying he could remain at home, make music and still earn his money.
“If you don’t want to come to my show because I said something that is the truth, then why are we playing Fela’s music now?” Kelly Hansome asked.
He went on to reference the continued popularity of Fela Kuti’s music among members of the Nigerian Police Force, saying, “Because I see everybody playing Fela, Fela. The police in Nigeria, the Nigerian police, they play Fela’s music the most. Go to police barracks; they are just dancing to it. They know the truth more than anyone.”
Kelly Hansome further linked this to the way some police officers speak about citizens’ rights, adding, “That’s why a police officer would say, ‘You know your rights, right? Don’t worry, when we get to the police station…’”