Author: Hot Source

Popular social media influencer VeryDarkMan, popularly known as VDM, has responded after reality TV personality Phyna described him as a “Very Dirty Boy” and blamed him for the collapse of her relationship with actress Iyabo Ojo.

Phyna had earlier claimed that her closeness to VeryDarkMan significantly contributed to the strain between her and Iyabo Ojo.

In a detailed public response, VeryDarkMan said he was deeply disappointed by the accusation, maintaining that his support for Phyna was always sincere and without conditions.

He explained that he consistently showed up for the former reality star at different stages of her career, including reposting promotions for her movies and offering guidance on both personal and professional issues.

According to VDM, he made himself accessible whenever Phyna reached out whether she needed advice, paid promotional support, or help with family-related concerns stressing that he often listened and assisted without expecting anything in return.

He also questioned what benefit he personally derived from the relationship, emphasizing that his actions were motivated by loyalty and goodwill, not personal gain.

Reflecting on a past controversy, VeryDarkMan hinted that greed and certain choices eventually strained the relationship, adding that several people who once supported and promoted Phyna have since stepped back as public interest in her waned.

Despite the disagreement, the influencer concluded on a peaceful note, saying he bears no bitterness and sincerely wishes Phyna success in all her future pursuits.

I gained nothing from her — VeryDarkMan fires back at Phyna

Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Young Game has drawn attention to the often-ignored hurdles confronting African diaspora artists seeking recognition within the Afrobeats industry, despite their growing contributions to the genre’s global success.

Young Game, born Sunday Paul Bassey and a native of Ndi Okpo Ihechiowa, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, is currently based in Italy. He is part of a rising generation of African creatives abroad who proudly project their culture beyond the continent but struggle to gain equal visibility with artists operating from Nigeria.

According to the singer, physical distance from Nigeria’s music ecosystem remains a major disadvantage. “Afrobeats is global now, but access is still very local,” Young Game said, noting that artists outside the country often lack the industry connections, media exposure, radio support and live performance opportunities needed to break records.

He explained that while many diaspora musicians invest heavily in music production, promotion and distribution, their efforts are frequently sidelined due to industry gatekeeping and location bias. “You can have the sound, the story and the consistency, but without proximity to the industry, it’s easy to be ignored,” he stated.

Young Game also pointed to the identity dilemma faced by many African artists abroad, who are sometimes viewed as “too foreign” for the local market and “not African enough” for international audiences. “We are constantly trying to prove our authenticity, even though our roots are unquestionable,” he said.

Despite the challenges, the singer stressed that diaspora artists remain vital to Afrobeats’ global expansion. Their exposure to diverse cultures and audiences, he noted, enables innovation and helps introduce the genre to new territories. “Many of us are building Afrobeats quietly in Europe, America and beyond performing, promoting and planting seeds that later grow into global movements,” he added.

Calling for greater collaboration and inclusion, Young Game urged industry stakeholders to embrace diaspora creatives as an integral part of the culture. “Afrobeats is strongest when it is unified. Diaspora artists should not be treated as outsiders, but as extensions of the culture,” he said.

Nigeria’s afrobeats now global but access still very local – Young Game