On Thursday, March 13, Nigerian TikTok sensation Peller found himself facing heavy criticism on social media after referring to Afrobeats icon Runtown as an “up-and-coming artist” during a recent livestream.
The controversy began when Peller’s co-streamer suggested featuring Runtown in their session, to which Peller swiftly rejected the idea. “Wetin be Runtown? That one never blow. We no know am. Give me another person. Who is that? Runtown? Don’t bring upcoming artists on my live video. Na artistes wey don blow well well I want,” he remarked, expressing his frustration.
The comments quickly ignited backlash, with fans and fellow industry figures expressing disappointment over Peller’s dismissal of one of the pioneers of modern Afrobeats. Many pointed out that his remarks seemed dismissive and condescending towards an artist who has been instrumental in shaping the genre’s global appeal.
Runtown, who first made waves with his 2014 hit “Gallardo” featuring Davido, achieved even greater international success with his 2016 anthem “Mad Over You.” These achievements have solidified him as a major figure in the Afrobeats scene, earning him respect from fans and fellow musicians alike.
Peller, who has previously featured high-profile artists such as Olamide, Tiwa Savage, and Davido on his livestream, has yet to address the backlash directly. However, the incident has raised questions about the way established artists treat their peers in the industry.
