- Rudeboy questions rising smoking visuals in music videos
- Warns that younger fans are easily influenced by trends
- Urges new artistes to rethink what they portray as “swag”
Veteran Nigerian singer Rudeboy, one half of the iconic duo P-Square, has publicly criticized what he sees as a troubling trend among younger artistes: the normalization of smoking in music videos. Rather than applaud the aesthetic, Rudeboy is raising red flags about the growing glamorization of smoking as part of the “swag” culture.
According to Eko Hot Blog, taking to social media, the singer expressed concern over how frequently cigarettes, cigars, and even substances resembling marijuana appear in visuals promoted by upcoming musicians. For Rudeboy, this isn’t just a question of taste—it’s a matter of responsibility.
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“Don’t tell me it’s swag,” he wrote in a post that’s quickly stirred online debate. “When did this become the standard for cool?” His comments were directed not just at the visuals, but at the message they send to impressionable audiences, especially teenagers who idolize these artists and imitate their behavior.
From Rudeboy’s perspective, being a trendsetter in the music industry should involve more than mimicking Western clichés or trying to appear edgy. He argued that influence should be used to inspire not mislead especially in a country grappling with youth exposure to vices under the guise of entertainment.
His critique comes at a time when conversations around substance use and public health are becoming more mainstream in Nigerian media. With music videos often serving as powerful cultural tools, Rudeboy’s comments serve as a reminder that imagery matters and so do the consequences.
Reactions to his post have been mixed. Some fans and industry observers agree with him, applauding his stance on artistic responsibility. Others feel artists should have creative freedom without moral policing. However, Rudeboy is standing firm, urging emerging talents to ask themselves what kind of legacy they’re building.
As one of the country’s most recognizable music veterans, Rudeboy’s words carry weight and may prompt some self-reflection within the ever-evolving Nigerian music scene.
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