By Leshi Adebayo
A stage name is said to give an idea of who entertainers are, their philosophy, and set them apart from others. However, as the saying goes that change is constant, they sometimes opt for a new name for reasons best known to them.
In the Nigerian music space, singers in the course of career had settled to change their stage names due to copyright issues, confusion in the market space, breach of contract, among others.
In this piece, BlackBox Nigeria highlights 8 Nigerian acts who have changed their stage names and why they did it.
1. Dat Nigga Raw to Mr Raw Nwanne
Regarded as one of the pioneers of Igbo rap in Nigeria, legendary rapper Okechukwu Edwards Ukeje, better known as Dat Nigga Raw changed his stage name to Mr Raw Nwanne in 2010.
Explaining his reason for the switch in identity, the Obodo hit maker noted that the word ‘nigga’ had negative impacts on his brand, causing his songs to be censored and prevented people from buying them online.
2. Sauce Kid to Sinzu SMG
In 2012, Nigerian rapper Babalola Falemi professionally known as Sauce Kid opted for a new stage name, Sinzu SMG.
The Carolina crooner announced the development via his Twitter page, saying the name Saucekid has been dropped officially.
“Guess no artist want to answer kid these days. Kinda like Sinzu. Don’t know what SMG stands for tho,” he wrote at the time.
3. 2face Idibia to 2Baba
Until 2016, legendary singer Innocent Idibia had a successful run in the Nigerian music space as 2face Idibia — the popular nickname he adopted from the early years of his career and identified with his smash hits and much-loved albums.
As part of a major rebranding, the music legend officially changed his stage name to 2Baba, saying he was more mature.
4. Cynthia Morgan to Madrina
The Don’t Break My heart crooner changed her name from Cynthia Morgan to Madrina in 2017.
In 2020, speaking during an Instagram live chat, the rapper explained in details the reason for the name change.
She claimed that her contract with Jude Okoye (P-square’s older brother and manager)’s record label, Northside Entertainment made her to lose her stage name (Cynthia Morgan), vevo account, royalties, Instagram account, etc. Her claims would later prompt other Nigerian artistes once connected to the label to voice out.
5. Kiss Daniel to Kizz Daniel
CEO of Flyboy Records, Nigerian pop singer, Daniel Anidugbe, professionally known as Kizz Daniel changed his name in 2018 due to contract issues and disputes with his former record label, G-Worldwide. He was formerly known as Kiss Daniel.
6. Santi to Cruel Santino
Fast-rising singer-rapper, Santi has changed his name twice — Ozzy B in 2011, Santi in 2016. Then in 2020, he changed to Cruel Santino.
Born Osayaba Ize-Iyama, the alté act announced the change in his identity to fans.
“U Guy’s I had to change my name to Cruel Santino, cause of one man in Spain, he didn’t want to free the name for me,” he wrote on Twitter.
7. Poe to Ladipoe
The rapper signed under Mavins Records changed his stage name to Ladipoe in 2020 due to copyright issues.
Mavins Records boss, Don Jazzy revealed this while replying to a tweet by Cruel Santino who announced his name change at the time.
The legendary music executive wrote, “That’s why we switched Poe to Ladipoe too. Sorry about that. We will sha find you anywhere. If u like change name to *%#~^*!!”
8. Buju to BNXN
Daniel Benson formerly called Buju (Beauty Underneath Just Understood) is the latest Nigerian artiste to change his stage name.
Revealing the decision on Friday, the Outside crooner informed fans that he now wishes to be addressed as BNXN — pronounced as Benson.
Its no longer “Buju”
Call me “Benson” written as ‘BNXN’ 🧑🏽🦱🏁 pic.twitter.com/MTqpZiRWet— Benson (@BNXN) February 17, 2022
The reason for the name change was avoid to further confusion between Buju and a Jamaican singer known as Buju Banton.
