Illbliss warns that Nigeria is in a dangerous phase, slamming rising propaganda, insecurity, and censorship of conscious music on radio and digital media

Superstar Illbliss slams propaganda and rising censorship in Nigeria, warning that the country is navigating one of the most perilous moments in its democratic journey.

Also read: Davido Drops Vibrant Music Video for Hit Single ‘With You’ Featuring Omah Lay

In a candid appearance on the Real Shareholders podcast, the rapper, whose real name is Tobechukwu Melvin Ejiofor, expressed deep concern over insecurity, economic hardship and digital manipulation by the state.

Illbliss disclosed that his politically charged 2020 track titled Country was removed from radio stations due to its critical tone against the government.

He noted that this is not an isolated case, as earlier songs like National Cake and A Different Kind of War also faced silent bans by radio hosts afraid of regulatory backlash.

“I had this record in 2020 called Country. It was taken off the radio,” Illbliss revealed. “OAPs are always saying that they cannot play such songs because they could get fined.”

The rapper, known for his bold social commentary, stated that Nigeria’s political environment has grown increasingly sophisticated in its use of media to control public perception.

He described a digital army that rapidly counters critical content online with carefully crafted responses that deny the nation’s worsening realities.

“Every now and then, you put out a record and you see like a hundred or more tweets come at you,” he said. “You just know that it is an artificial pushback… perhaps a digital response to criticism.”

Illbliss believes that this wave of government-backed media content, including podcasts and influencer-led messaging, is a deliberate strategy to suppress dissent and manipulate national discourse.

He criticised the use of younger, tech-savvy citizens in this effort, suggesting that propaganda has now fully infiltrated digital spaces once thought to be tools for truth and accountability.

“We thought we had social media,” he said. “But so much happens there now and you begin to wonder, has the government begun to fund theories of distraction?”

The rapper’s warning comes as many Nigerians continue to grapple with economic stress, insecurity and governance concerns. For artists like Illbliss, the tightening of creative expression and the silencing of critical voices raise alarms about where Nigeria is headed.

Also read: Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid called out by VeryDarkMan over community neglect

With voices of dissent increasingly being muffled, the role of art as a mirror of society hangs in the balance. For Illbliss, the challenge now lies in continuing to speak truth through music, even when the system tries to shut it down.