By David Adebayo
Nigerian rapper CDQ has raised concerns over what he described as the increasing influence of cult-like groups in the country’s music industry, warning that success may now be tied to belonging to certain circles.
According to him, the industry is no longer driven purely by talent and hard work, but has gradually become structured around affiliations and underground alliances that determine who gets opportunities and support.
CDQ alleged that emerging artistes who are not connected to these groups may struggle to gain visibility, no matter how much effort or money they invest in their craft.
He described the situation as a “game of belonging,” where access to resources, collaborations, and industry backing is often influenced by one’s association with particular camps.
The rapper further claimed that artistes outside these structures may end up spending heavily on promotion and branding without seeing meaningful results.
“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 was quoted as saying.
CDQ expressed concern that while talent remains important, it is increasingly not enough to guarantee success in today’s music landscape without the right backing or affiliations.
He also noted that artistes who break through without such connections are rare, describing them as fortunate or divinely favoured.
Persecondnews reports that the remarks have since sparked conversations across social media, with fans debating whether the industry is truly being shaped by hidden groups or whether it is simply driven by networking and influence.
While some users supported his claims and called for more transparency in the industry, others argued that success in music naturally depends on connections, marketing, and strategic partnerships rather than structured groups.