Reality TV star and comedian Aderombi Adedayo, popularly known as DeeOne, has claimed that singer Olu Maintain played a role in giving Nigeria a bad image internationally.
Speaking on the Echo Room podcast, DeeOne argued that the release of Olu Maintain’s hit song “Yahooze” glamorized internet fraud (popularly called Yahoo Yahoo) and influenced a generation of young Nigerians.
“Do you know that Olu Maintain, great artiste—I love his work—but do you know that he is among the people that put this country in a bad light?” DeeOne said.
He explained that before the release of Yahooze, 419 fraud was a shameful activity that many perpetrators kept hidden despite making money from it. However, according to him, the success of the track, along with its associated dance, made internet fraud appear glamorous and socially acceptable.
“Young boys then, babies at that time, were inspired, listening to the song and enjoying the vibe. So Yahoo Yahoo now became an accepted profession in Nigeria,” he added.
DeeOne further stressed that this cultural shift contributed to the negative global perception of Nigerians today.
“If we are complaining about this country now, Olu Maintain will talk and say it’s the government. But he contributed to one of the sufferings we are facing today. Now, if you travel out of Nigeria, people look at you as fraudsters,” he said.
