Olu Maintain – Yahooze
This list wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the pioneering song that unmistakably embraced the theme of cybercrime. Olu Maintain’s 2007 monster hit single, “Yahooze,” unquestionably stands as one of the greatest classics as far as Afrobeats is concerned. With lyrics undeniably centred around cybercrime, referred to as “Yahoo” in Nigeria, “Yahooze” evokes nostalgia and has sparked discussions regarding the glorification of cybercrime and the luxury associated with it.

Olu Maintain later refuted these claims, asserting that the song primarily champions hard work and success. However, the initial narrative continued to be associated with the song’s legacy throughout its existence.


Kelly Hansome – Maga Don Pay
In a trajectory similar to Olu Maintain’s, Nigerian singer Kelly Hansome emerged in the industry the following year in 2008 with his debut single “Maga Don Pay,” which quickly climbed the charts. The key difference between Hansome’s song and Olu Maintain’s was evident: Maintain subtly alluded to the subject matter in a way that invited debate, while Kelly Hansome addressed it directly.

The term “Maga” is Nigerian slang for a foreigner who is financially exploited through internet scams. There was no debate about the message conveyed by this song; it was clear as day. Despite any lyrical content concerns, Nigerians enthusiastically grooved to it. Even after the ban imposed by NBC, it continued to be a go-to jam for DJs both within and beyond the borders of Nigeria.


9ice – Living Things

In 2016, Afrobeats maestro 9ice scored himself another hit with “Living Things.” This single marked his return to the mainstream after a brief hiatus from his earlier “Gongo Aso” days. While many enjoyed this melodious banger, song critics called out its lyrics for glorifying cybercrime, cleverly disguised through wordplay and phrases.

The song’s lyrics primarily revolved around the pursuit of wealth, expressed in Yoruba as “Kin Sha ti Lowo,” and aspiring to attain a certain status referred to by the artist as a “living thing.” The inclusion of phrases like “Wire Wire” and “Money Order” made it evident that the song was portraying a specific narrative. In Nigerian terminology, “Wire Wire” alludes to payments associated with Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams, often involving counterfeit money orders.
for financial blessings, its lyrics suggest more; they not only convey that message but also appear to endorse the idea of amassing wealth through cybercrime. Right from the song’s outset with the line, “Tan internet e yagi fe login,” it hints at activities related to the online world.

The rappers delivered their verses with precision and skill, with lyrics revolving around hustling, acquiring wealth, and indulging in a life of luxury and travel. While these themes are acceptable in music, the lyrics hold nuances that can be interpreted differently. Lines like “Kuro n’be to ye k’o lo ra lappy, Tete connect k’iwo na le collect” seem to encourage listeners to invest in a laptop and potentially engage in cybercrime to generate income.


Steven Adeoye – Ali
Not everyone may be familiar with the street-hop artist Steven Adeoye, but once you hear his hit song “Ali,” it strikes a chord. The song “Ali” refers to a character from the Macmillan English textbooks, a figure most Nigerian students encountered during their schooling. “Ali goes to School” is a short English text that many Nigerians who attended working-class primary schools read repeatedly or memorized.

In Adeoye’s song, “Ali” doesn’t excel in school, so he decides to drop out, purchases a laptop, and ventures into cybercrime to make money, which brings him happiness. The song’s lyrics express a desire to follow in Ali’s footsteps, gain street respect, and earn money to make people happy.

The fact that “Ali” is linked to the very addicting TikTok platform increases the effect of the song. “Ali” has appeared in TikTok videos all across the world; some of them make reference to cybercrime, but many more do so in relation to the idea of hustling for a better life.