- Nigerian rapper Speed Darlington, also known as Akpi, sparked controversy online.
- He reacted mockingly to Nigeria’s performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
- Darlington shared a video ridiculing Nigerian music stars for not winning in competitive categories.
Nigerian rapper Speed Darlington, widely known as Akpi, has stirred online controversy after reacting mockingly to Nigeria’s outcome at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
The outspoken entertainer shared a video in which he ridiculed Nigerian music stars following their failure to secure wins in competitive categories, despite earning several nominations.
At the awards ceremony held in Los Angeles, South African singer Tyla emerged victorious in the Best African Music Performance category, beating Nigerian artists Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Omah Lay, and Ayra Starr. As a result, Nigeria ended the night without any competitive Grammy award, leaving many Afrobeats fans disappointed.
Soon after the event, Speed Darlington released a video filmed on the streets of New York City, where he openly mocked Nigerian musicians. In the clip, he suggested that winning a Grammy depends more on industry influence and powerful connections than on musical talent.
Using his trademark sarcastic style, the rapper made remarks implying that affiliations with influential American figures play a major role in Grammy success. He referenced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, a comment many viewers interpreted as a subtle dig at Burna Boy’s Grammy win in 2021, which came after Diddy served as executive producer on Twice as Tall.
The remarks generated mixed reactions across social media platforms. While some users defended Speed Darlington, describing his comments as blunt humor that reflects hard truths about the music industry, others criticized him for disrespecting Nigerian artists who have helped push Afrobeats to global prominence.
Several fans also weighed in on the broader issue, arguing that African music remains underrepresented at the Grammys despite its growing international influence.
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