•Addiction to headphones is a problem among many young Nigerians
Addiction remains a recurring challenge in the entertainment industry, and some Nigerian entertainers have recently opened up about their personal battles, particularly with smoking, sparking important conversations around mental health and substance use. Our correspondent takes a look at entertainers who have been vocal about such situations, reports Saturday PUNCH:
Ice Prince
In a now-viral interview on the Konnected Mind podcast, popular rapper, Ice Prince, candidly reflected on his journey and the habits he wishes he had never picked up.
Speaking about his experience with cannabis, he said, “One of the worst things I wish I could unlearn is how to roll cannabis. I wish I had never learnt that because, if I didn’t, I probably would have smoked in moderation. But because I know how to roll, even when I wake up or I’m in the studio, I roll it myself. I don’t let anyone roll for me. I don’t do drugs. I don’t mix cannabis with anything crazy. But, I wish I never learnt how to roll.”
He added that while smoking sometimes helps regulate his mood, it is not for everyone.
Yung6ix
About a week ago, another rapper, Yung6ix, made headlines after sharing his experience on X (formerly Twitter).
On May 12, 2025, he tweeted, “Coming out today to tell everyone I need help. I’ve been smoking for 21 years now, and my body is telling me to stop. I’m trying, but it’s not easy. I’ve reduced how much I spend buying weed to $600 a month, and I need help to turn that to $0. Any help?”
The tweet prompted a flurry of responses,some sarcastic, others deeply empathetic.
Fellow rapper, Phenom, responded, revealing his own battle with addiction and offering support. He wrote, “10 years since I quit smoking. Can link you up with the doctor that helped me.”
Encouraged by the outpour of support, Yung6ix followed up with a message of gratitude the next day, writing, “Want to say thanks to everyone who reached out, commented, or tweeted at me to support. I really appreciate you guys, and I didn’t buy weed yesterday after reading all your messages. Na God go help me today. Day 2 sober, day 4 not buying marijuana. Album drops July 8th.”
Bella Shmurda
Another notable voice in this conversation is Bella Shmurda. In March 2024, during an appearance on the ‘In My Opinion’ podcast, he was asked to share something surprising about himself. His response revealed a turning point in his life.
“I don’t smoke Igbo (weed). I used to, but I started having anxiety and getting scared of the future. I stopped smoking weed four years ago. I just take cigarettes and liquor now, and I’m fine with that.”
Don Jazzy
Veteran music producer and entrepreneur, Don Jazzy, is another public figure who has used his platform to speak against smoking. Back in 2019, he tweeted, “Today makes it one year since I quit smoking. Clap for me, please.”
On May 31, 2022 — World No Tobacco Day — he doubled down on his anti-smoking advocacy with a powerful reminder, “Oshee, it’s World No-Tobacco Day. Reminds me of the great and uneasy decision I took over a year ago to quit smoking cigarettes. The rest, as they say, is history. Nicotine is addictive and dangerous to your health. You can also take a decision now.”
Tonto Dikeh
Actress-turned-politician, Tonto Dikeh, also shared her story, recounting how a spiritual encounter helped her quit smoking. In May 2012, she tweeted that she had stopped smoking. Later that year, in an interview, she elaborated on what led to that decision.
According to her, it happened while watching a televised service by the late Prophet T.B. Joshua on Emmanuel TV.
“I didn’t quit smoking by myself. I was watching a programme with Prophet T.B. Joshua, and he was laying hands on people and praying. I love to watch his programmes. When he said, ‘Lay your hands on the TV,’ I did. I was actually praying for something else, not to quit smoking, because I loved smoking! But after the prayer, I think I slept off. When I woke up, I took a cigarette and it felt like poison. I couldn’t believe I had even picked it up to smoke. It felt crazy.”
