Nigerian Afrobeats singer Fido, aka Awosika Josiah, has issued a public apology months after a high-profile fallout with his former label and industry stakeholders sparked widespread controversy.
In a lengthy post shared on X on Monday, the 28-year-old, who was born on 21 September 1997 and raised in Matogun, Ogun State, admitted fault and reflected on the impact of sudden fame on his actions and decisions.
“There’s no easy way to write this, so I’ll just say it plainly. I messed up. Along the way, I made mistakes. I said things that should never have been said. I allowed ego, excitement, and inexperience to influence some of my decisions,” he wrote.
The Afro-fusion artiste, who rose to prominence in 2024 with hits such as Awolowo and Joy Is Coming, apologised to fans, colleagues and the wider Afrobeats community, saying he had chosen to “step back, listen and reflect”.
“To my fans… I am sorry. To the global Afrobeats community, the legends and godfathers who opened these doors before me… I apologise. Truly,” he added, promising that his next phase would reflect “growth” and a deeper sense of responsibility.
There’s no easy way to write this, so I’ll just say it plainly.
I messed up.
Stardom came into my life quickly. One minute I was dreaming about it, the next minute I was living it. And while the world was watching me grow, I was still trying to understand who I was inside that… pic.twitter.com/KDGcaE7rzT
Backstory
The apology comes after the singer, last year, accused his former label and marketing company of engaging in exploitative practices in public.
At the time, Fido alleged he had not earned revenue from his hit releases, claiming a 70/30 royalty split left him with only 30 per cent and that earnings were withdrawn without transparent accounting.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Stars Win Big At 2026 BAFTA Film Awards [FULL LIST]
He also said most of the reported $20,000 advance for Awolowo was withheld, stating he received only about ₦1.5 million.
The claims triggered strong reactions within the music industry, with some executives and marketing professionals dismissing his allegations as inaccurate and disrespectful.
Industry, Fan Backlash
The controversy intensified after Fido was accused of making disparaging remarks about superstar Davido and his fanbase, popularly known as 30BG, during a live session, a move that drew heavy criticism online and led to calls for a boycott of his music.
Some supporters and influencers who had previously backed the singer also distanced themselves, while industry figures questioned his professionalism.
In his latest statement, Fido said he had taken time to learn from the experience and expressed gratitude to those who held him accountable.
“It takes strength to admit you were wrong. It takes maturity to retrace your steps. I’m doing both. The man walking into this next chapter is more grounded, more aware, and more respectful of the platform he’s been given,” he wrote.
Leave a Reply