Veteran Nigerian rapper Palisade Ogunka, best known as ‘SkyB’, has expressed disappointment over what he sees as a lack of support from a new generation of Port Harcourt music stars, including Grammy Award winner Burna Boy.
Speaking on the latest episode of the KAA Truth podcast, ‘the Pray For Me’ crooner reflected on his role in the city’s music scene. He said some artistes he once supported have now grown distant from him.
SkyB said:
“I once gave a PA to the Governor an artiste’s number, and he called the artiste and told him he wanted him to perform with me at an event, and the artiste declined because he didn’t want to share the stage with me.”
“The artiste rejected the contract because he doesn’t want me to be part of the deal.”
SkyB said he supported artists such as Mr. 2Kay and Timaya during their peak careers. He stressed that he and several others made major sacrifices to help grow the music scene in Port Harcourt.
“These are brothers I have helped in the past. We invested a lot of resources,” he added.
The singer singled out Burna Boy, saying he was disappointed by what he sees as a lack of recognition for the artistes who helped shape the industry before his rise to fame.
“What is annoying me most now is Burna Boy coming into the limelight and not remembering me and those who paved the way for Port Harcourt musicians. He is supposed to support me financially or collaborate with me to rejuvenate my career. That is the problem I am having,” SkyB lamented.
He further claimed that tribal considerations may have contributed to the limited support he has received.
“Assuming I am a Yoruba or an Igbo man, maybe they could have considered helping me. But because I am from Rivers, the envy is too much,” he concluded.
