Drug Culture in Nigerian Music: When Art Imitates Harm By Arafat A. Abdulrazaq
A growing body of evidence shows that Nigerian pop culture, especially its booming music scene is playing a significant role in normalizing drug use among youth, with consequences that extend far beyond the beat.
A 2024 academic study has found that over 77% of Afrobeat content features drug-related themes, while a strong link exists between what music fans see in videos and how they view drug use.
The study, titled “Rhythm and Risk: Exploring The Relationship Between Afrobeat Music and Drug Abuse,” conducted across six Nigerian universities, revealed a statistically significant correlation (r = 0.71) between music visuals and the normalization of drug use. It supports what many already suspected: that the growing glorification of drugs in lyrics and music videos is influencing real-life behaviors, especially among young fans.
Artists often play roles that are larger than life, selling personas that fans mistake for reality. Recently, Ayo Maff, in his new album “Prince of the Street”, revealed he had stopped using cannabis and other hard drugs. Similarly, there is a video of Shallipopi saying:
“No be every time you go dey take Igbo,” admitting that cannabis isn’t part of his daily routine despite what his image suggests.
These confessions expose a critical gap between perception and reality. Fans absorb the showbiz façade—the “bad boy” lifestyle, the weed smoke in videos, the lyrics dripping with defiance but they don’t see the healthy diets, regular medical checkups, or emotional support systems many of these celebrities rely on.
Meanwhile, impressionable listeners try to copy their idols without the resources to buffer the fallout.
The idea that drugs enhance creativity isn’t new. For decades, artists have claimed that substances help them “tap into” emotions or unlock bold expression. The late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Afrobeat pioneer, once famously said: “I take weed because it’s good for my body. My body no belong to no motherfucker.”
This belief that art and drugs go hand in hand still persists today. Many contemporary musicians link their creativity to substance use. But while the myth of “inspired intoxication” sells, it masks the toll on mental and physical health. Drug use among artists is often a coping mechanism for performance pressure, anxiety, or even depression not a magical source of artistic genius.
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In the past, regulators like the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) took swift action against music they believed could corrupt public morals. Olamide’s “Science Student” was a prime example. Though it was intended as a social commentary on youth drug abuse, the track was banned for what critics saw as glamorization of “chemical mixing.” The rapper himself had described the song as a cautionary tale.
Today, however, traditional gatekeeping is nearly obsolete. Streaming platforms and social media have erased borders. Any artist can drop a song or video directly to millions uncensored and unchecked. There’s no media review board on YouTube or TikTok, which means harmful content spreads faster than ever.
The Rhythm and Risk study confirms what health experts have been warning for years: music shapes behavior. Songs like Burna Boy’s “Last Last” (“I need Igbo and Shayo”) or Joeboy’s “Alcohol” reinforce a culture of self-medication. In some cases, songs even make light of dangerous behaviors as seen in Naira Marley’s controversial hit “Soapy”, which featured a dance mimicking masturbation and drew criticism for trivializing prison trauma.
The impact is undeniable. Young Nigerians increasingly see drugs not as a risk, but as a vibe part of the lifestyle. Parties without alcohol or opioids are seen as incomplete. Drug abuse has been so normalized, it’s now mistaken for self-expression.
Nigeria has one of the highest drug use rates in Africa. According to the NDLEA, over 14.8 million Nigerians use drugs, with at least 3 million suffering from drug use disorders. The Agency has shifted from solely enforcement to public education, prevention campaigns, and rehabilitation.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has repeatedly warned that culture now plays a bigger role in drug exposure than supply chains. “We are not just fighting traffickers,” the agency’s spokesperson Femi Babafemi says. “We are fighting a culture that now sees drugs as fashionable.”
It is easy for artists to dismiss criticism, claiming they’re only reflecting reality. But there’s a fine line between storytelling and glorification. When music repeatedly pairs success, sex appeal, or power with drug use, the message is not neutral, it’s aspirational.
The industry needs more honesty like Ayo Maff’s. And fans need to understand: the lifestyle you’re copying is curated. It’s not real. Your favorite artist may talk about “shayo” but be drinking green juice off-camera.
For those already struggling, help exists. Addiction is not a life sentence. Organizations like the NDLEA now offer mental health support, free counseling, and access to treatment and rehab centres across Nigeria. Campaigns are also targeting artists and fans to create awareness about the consequences of drug abuse.
Music is power. It can protest, unite, uplift, and heal. But when it glorifies addiction, it harms. The rhythm may be catchy, the persona magnetic but the consequences are real.
If Nigeria’s sound is to keep going global, its message must start healing the homefront.
As-Sayyidul Arafat Abdulrazaq is a corps member serving with the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Abuja. He can be reached via: [email protected].
