Veteran Nigerian rapper Palisade Ogunka, popularly known as SkyB, has expressed disappointment over what he describes as a lack of support from younger Port Harcourt-based music stars, including Grammy Award winner Burna Boy.
Speaking on the latest episode of the KAA Truth podcast, the “Pray For Me” crooner reflected on his contributions to the Port Harcourt music scene and claimed that some artistes he once supported have now distanced themselves from him.
SkyB recounted an incident in which he said he helped connect an artist to a government official for a performance opportunity, but the artiste allegedly refused to share the stage with him.
“I once gave a PA to the Governor an artiste’s number, and he called the artiste and told him he wanted him to perform with me at an event, and the artiste declined because he didn’t want to share the stage with me,” he said.
“The artiste rejected the contract because he doesn’t want me to be part of the deal,” he added.
The rapper also stated that he supported several artistes, including Mr. 2Kay and Timaya, during their rise to prominence, insisting that he and others made significant sacrifices to help grow the Port Harcourt music industry.
“These are brothers I have helped in the past. We invested a lot of resources,” he said.
SkyB specifically mentioned Burna Boy, expressing disappointment that the singer has not, in his view, acknowledged those who contributed to the early development of the region’s music scene.
“What is annoying me most now is Burna Boy coming into the limelight and not remembering me and those who paved the way for Port Harcourt musicians. He is supposed to support me financially or collaborate with me to rejuvenate my career. That is the problem I am having,” he said.
He further suggested that tribal sentiments may have influenced the lack of support he has received.
“Assuming I am a Yoruba or an Igbo man, maybe they could have considered helping me. But because I am from Rivers, the envy is too much,” he added.
