Paul Okoye Criticizes Upcoming Artists for Glorifying Smoking in Music Videos

Nigerian music star Paul Okoye, also known as Rudeboy, has openly criticized emerging artists for glamorizing smoking particularly weed during their music video shoots.

Taking to his Instagram Story and writing in Pidgin English, Paul expressed frustration at the growing trend of new acts lighting up joints even before their music videos begin.

“Dear new acts. Abeg, who tell una say whenever una dey shoot visualizer video, say una must dey smoke Igbo for camera? 20 seconds, music never start, you still dey light up,” he wrote.

While acknowledging that smoking is a personal choice, he advised that those who choose to smoke heavily should at least maintain a healthy diet. “Make sure you dey eat well. At least, dey chop better food. Don’t tell me it’s swag or trying to look fly,” he added, warning that many already “look sick.”

He further ridiculed the contradiction of spending so much on weed while struggling to afford basic meals. “You dey smoke around 50k, dey battle Indomie of 1k without egg. Under pressure,” he wrote.

Paul emphasized that smoking is not a sign of style or success, calling on the new generation of artists to rethink what they portray as “cool” or “swag.”

This isn’t the first time the veteran artist has shared blunt opinions online. In a separate post last year, he gave his own sarcastic approach to dealing with online trolls. Advising followers to initially show kindness, he added: “When they send their account number, insult their papa and block them!”

Paul’s comments have sparked conversations about the influence of celebrities and artists on youth culture, particularly in the age of social media where image often overshadows substance.