Beninese rapper Vano Baby has addressed a message to the people of Togo after recently being involved in a controversy accusing him of referring to Togolese artists as beggars.
During a live session on TikTok with Amiral on Wednesday, Vano Baby opened up about various aspects of his career. Asked to share his opinion on the challenges artists face in the Beninese showbiz industry, including attacks, harassment, and defamation on social media, the rapper took the opportunity to illustrate his point with a well-known example from the Togolese music industry.
“In Lomé, right next to Benin, Togolese artists have created a movement in such a way that (without disrespecting them), for example, when an artist competes with a colleague, fans take out money to buy a ticket for him and send him to Europe, to the United States… Just to spice up the competition with his colleague, and the latter also tries to mobilize his fans to do the same. As for me, I could never go on TikTok or social media and shout: ‘Buy me a ticket, contribute for me, please, I want to go to the United States… Never!'” he said.
Following this, these remarks from the artist were quickly reported by some Togolese media outlets, including Visionnaire magazine 0.2, which titled an article: “Togolese artists apparently considered beggars according to Beninese artist Vano.” This publication rapidly sparked controversy, accusing the Beninese rapper of calling Togolese compatriots beggars.
“Fellow Togolese artists are my brothers…” In response to the growing controversy, Vano Baby broke his silence in a video posted on his TikTok account on Friday, August 25, 2023. After reminding viewers of his familiarity with Togolese culture, the performer of the song “Diyo” explained that his words had been distorted and that he would never insult artists from any country.
“This video is for my Togolese brothers. I saw some of your media outlets reporting that I called Togolese artists beggars. They twisted my words. In my home, an artist deserves respect, because I myself am in the same profession. I don’t differentiate between small and big artists. An artist deserves respect. I’m lucky to also speak Ewe (a Togolese dialect), and it’s not because I learned it, I was born with it,” he emphasized.
“When I’m in my car, I listen to Togolese artists. Why would I insult all artists from a country? I’m an educated person. I know many Togolese artists. Your contributions to help your artists travel is your way of supporting them. These media outlets have simply distorted my words. Togolese artists are my brothers, and I’m not making this video out of fear,” he added.
Vano’s clarification has been well-received by Togolese people, as evidenced by the comments. Many internet users even suggested a collaboration between the Beninese artist and Togolese rapper Ghettovi, who is currently considered the undisputed president of the Togolese rap scene.
