Bourne Identity

Episode 36 - Is the CIA controlling Afrobeats? A viral theory claims US intelligence is picking who tops the charts.

Wuchi & Wale dissect the Spearhead claims, Bloody Civilian’s role in the Tyla vs. Ayra Starr noise, Fireboy’s pink-pajama rollout, GDZILLA leaving Jonzing World, and why you need your PVC.

We open with two Put You Ons, Vyce Vxrsa’s “Give Dem” (1:25) and Paybac Iboro’s “KSA” (3:01), because Nigerian hip-hop is alive and well. Then the hot take: is it weird that Bloody Civilian is touring with Tyla after skipping Ayra Starr’s album? (6:30) Then the main event, the Spearhead video (18:15).

We concede what’s true (25:41), then pick apart the Chocolate City funding claim (27:48) and the CKay and Tems “mid-career” theory (29:44). We also get into David Hundeyin, Segalink, and VDM, and what happens when you don’t know when to stop (37:44).

The real distraction three months before an election is the conspiracy itself (46:16). Burna Boy signed with Atlantic in 2017, then got more political, not less (48:06).

Our verdict: the industry is rigged against underground artists, but... (58:33). Freyy is free after 8 days in police custody, and it’s one more reason to get your PVC (1:00:58).

Then the diaspora debate: should Nigerians abroad be celebrating Independence Day while Nigeria suffers? (1:09:11) We also break down our Independence weekend in Chicago, Victony’s and Buju’s shows, and why three High Noons cost almost $60 (1:18:02). Fireboy’s album rollout, with the pink pajamas and the lip gloss: genius promo or cheap engagement? (1:32:28) Is Blaqbonez your artist of the year, and why does Asake’s “Ikebe 3000” verse hit different? (1:41:10) We close with Put You On tracks from Plusamari (1:48:14) and Yorkk (1:50:15), then GDZILLA’s exit from Jonzing World, and where it went wrong (1:53:50).

Put You On this week: Vyce Vxrsa - “Give Dem,” Paybac Iboro - “KSA,” Plusamari - “+EAST42,” Yorkk - “O Boy.” Do you think the CIA is picking your playlist, or is the real distraction closer to home? Tell us in the comments.

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