Media Team
Renowned disc jockey Nonso Temisan Ajufo, widely recognized as DJ Big N, recently shared his thoughts on the evolving nature of fame during an episode of the Echo Room podcast.
He expressed his belief that the exclusivity of celebrity status has significantly diminished, as virtually anyone can now attain stardom with minimal effort in today’s fragmented digital world.
“Fame has become decentralised. The threshold for achieving fame is incredibly low. In the past, celebrities were genuine icons. Today, anyone can claim celebrity status.
“All it takes is posting something attention-grabbing online a few times, getting verified, and suddenly you’re doing ad campaigns. That’s what celebrity looks like now,” he remarked.
DJ Big N reminisced about the era when artists like Phyno and Olamide exuded a unique “wow factor” and an undeniable aura that set them apart as true celebrities.
He elaborated: “Back then, before someone became a celebrity, figures like Phyno and Olamide had that unmistakable presence. They embodied what it meant to be a celebrity.
“They had an aura that captivated audiences. But now, with everything so decentralised, everyone’s attention is scattered.
He contrasted this with the present reality, where individuals can rise to fame by sharing provocative or viral content online, swiftly gaining verification and lucrative endorsement opportunities.
DJ Big N attributed this transformation to the democratisation of public attention, where listeners can effortlessly shift from global icons like Davido, Rema, Burna Boy, and Wizkid to viral sensations like Cater Efe or Peller.
“The same person who’s streaming Davido, Rema, Burna Boy, or Wizkid can instantly switch to watching Cater Efe or Peller,” he concluded.
