UK Rapper Dave Sparks Outrage with Nigerian Strikers "Age-Cheating" Lyric on New Album

British rapper Dave (David Orobosa Michael Omoregie), known for his critically acclaimed music and insightful lyrics, has ignited a fierce debate following a controversial lyric directed at Nigerian football strikers in his new album, The Boy Who Play The Harp.

The line, featured on the track "Chapter 16," drew immediate backlash online for what many perceive as a sweeping and negative generalization about Nigerian athletes.

The lyric in question is: "H*es lying about their age like Nigerian strikers."

Dave uses the alleged dishonesty about age among Nigerian footballers, a sensitive, yet historically recurring, issue in Nigerian sports, particularly at youth levels as a strong comparison for women who lie about their age.

The rapper, who himself has Nigerian heritage (his parents are emigrants from Edo State, Nigeria), faced criticism on several fronts:

Many social media users accused Dave of a "hasty generalization" and a "diss" against the entire Nigerian football community, arguing the lyric was unfair and derogatory.

The claim of "age-cheating" is a stereotype that has historically plagued Nigerian youth football, with reports of age falsification being a concern for both local and international governing bodies like FIFA and CAF. While the issue is acknowledged, critics felt the lyric unnecessarily weaponized this sensitive topic.

The criticism was amplified due to Dave's Nigerian roots, with some arguing that as a member of the diaspora, he should avoid reinforcing negative stereotypes about his ancestral homeland.

Nigeria has faced multiple age-related scandals, particularly concerning its successful national youth teams (like the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles).

There have been instances where teams, such as the Nigerian U-17 squad, were reportedly disbanded due to widespread concerns over player ages.

The issue is often rooted in systemic problems, including poor record-keeping and a high-pressure environment to succeed in tournaments that offer a path to professional careers.

Dave's lyric taps into this existing, often uncomfortable, narrative, which explains both the immediate understanding of the comparison and the resulting outrage from those who feel it unjustly maligns the nation's athletes.

Despite the controversy, the rapper's album is currently charting well, highlighting his continued impact on UK and international music. Dave has yet to issue a formal response to the backlash surrounding the specific lyric.