Paul Okoye Slams Smoking Trend in Music Videos, Warns Emerging Artists Against Fake Swag and Poor Diet Choices

 

Veteran Nigerian singer and one-half of the celebrated P-Square duo, Paul Okoye, known by his stage name Rudeboy, has taken a stand against a growing trend among new-generation musicians. The artist recently used his social media platform to express frustration over what he describes as an unhealthy and misleading portrayal of style and success.

During an Instagram story posted to his official account, Rudeboy called out younger artists for frequently including scenes of marijuana smoking in their music video shoots, particularly in their visualizers. He questioned why this habit seems to have become a necessary element of modern music visuals, even when the actual song has barely started. According to him, it’s almost become a requirement that artists light up within the first few seconds of the video, which he believes sends the wrong message and encourages unhealthy behavior.

Rather than being impressed by the visuals, Rudeboy said he often sees individuals who appear physically unwell while indulging in habits that are both expensive and self-destructive. He emphasized that spending large sums of money on marijuana while neglecting basic nutrition reflects misplaced priorities. His concern is not just about image but the overall health and wellbeing of those who are supposed to represent the next generation of Nigerian music.

“Dear new acts,” he began, addressing upcoming artists directly. “Abeg, who tell una say whenever una dey shoot visualizer video, say una must dey smoke Igbo for camera?” Rudeboy lamented that even before the track gets underway, the artist is already focused on lighting a blunt. He clarified that while smoking is a personal choice, it shouldn’t be glorified or considered a compulsory ingredient for music visuals.

“20 sec music never start, you still dey light up. Well, na your choice oh, but make sure you dey eat well,” he added, suggesting that if someone can afford to spend ₦50,000 on smoking, they should at least be able to afford proper meals. “At least they chop better food, don’t tell me it’s swag or trying to look fly,” he warned.

Rudeboy also raised concerns about how these habits contribute to a deteriorating appearance. According to him, many of the new artists pushing the smoking trend don’t look stylish or edgy, but rather sickly and under pressure. He mocked the irony of artists blowing money on weed only to struggle with feeding themselves. “You dey smoke around 50k dey battle Indomie of 1k without egg,” he said, using humor to emphasize the impracticality and contradiction of their lifestyle choices.

This blunt critique from Rudeboy comes at a time when conversations around drug use, mental health, and image in the entertainment industry are gaining more traction. While many fans look up to musicians and often emulate their lifestyle, the glorification of unhealthy habits like excessive smoking can have real-world consequences, particularly for impressionable audiences.

Rudeboy’s remarks have sparked mixed reactions online. Some social media users applauded his message, praising him for being a responsible elder in the industry who is using his platform to advocate for better choices. Others accused him of being overly critical, arguing that personal lifestyle choices should not be policed by public figures, especially when creativity and personal freedom are at stake.

Still, the larger issue remains. As more artists adopt certain aesthetics to appear tough, trendy, or rebellious, Rudeboy’s words serve as a reminder that image should never come at the cost of one's health. He urges these artists to re-evaluate what it really means to be cool, stylish, or successful.

Rather than associating swag with smoke clouds and unhealthy habits, he encourages new talents to focus on authenticity, quality living, and self-respect. His message is clear: looking good and feeling good starts with the basics, like eating nutritious food and avoiding unnecessary pressure to fit into toxic trends.

Whether or not these comments will have a lasting impact on the music scene is yet to be seen, but one thing is certain: Rudeboy is not backing down from calling it as he sees it. As a figure who has spent decades in the music industry, his words carry weight and may just encourage a few up-and-coming artists to rethink the choices they make in the name of style.