Singer BNXN has stirred fresh conversation with his blunt assessment of life in Nigeria’s commercial capital. The Afro-fusion artist declared Lagos significantly more expensive than Los Angeles during a recent live session from the United States.
“I was telling someone, since I got to the United States, I haven’t seen one egbon adugbo asking me to press money,” BNXN explained. He highlighted the absence of constant financial requests from acquaintances and neighbors.
The singer continued, “Lagos is way more expensive than Los Angeles. All that is expensive about L.A. is the housing.” According to him, once rent is settled in LA, daily living becomes manageable.
BNXN contrasted this with Lagos realities. “Once you pay your rent in LA, you’re good. Lagos is super expensive,” he added, emphasizing broader costs like transportation, food, and social obligations.
The comments, shared widely on platforms like TikTok and X, come as many Nigerians grapple with inflation, fuel prices, and naira depreciation. BNXN, born Daniel Etiese Benson in Lagos on May 14, 1997, grew up in the city before relocating areas within Nigeria.
His remarks echo broader frustrations. Residents often cite soaring rents in areas like Ikoyi and Victoria Island alongside rising costs of staples. Public transport and generator fuel further strain budgets.
Social media reactions poured in swiftly. Some users mocked the claim, questioning savings potential in LA versus local pressures. Others agreed, sharing personal stories of financial strain in Lagos.
This is not BNXN’s first brush with controversy. Recently, he faced backlash for declining to perform the traditional “dobale” prostration at Obafemi Awolowo University, citing his Akwa Ibom roots over Yoruba customs. Critics accused him of selective cultural engagement, noting his use of Yoruba in songs like “Outside.”
The artist, formerly known as Buju before rebranding in 2022 to avoid confusion with Buju Banton, has built a career on emotional Afrobeats hits. Yet his forthright views continue to divide fans.
BNXN offered no apologies for his perspective. His directness, while uncomfortable for some, mirrors growing public sentiment on unsustainable living conditions. In Nigeria’s entertainment scene, few artists speak as plainly about these everyday battles.
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