Davido has publicly backed Zlatan Ibile's new song 'Inferno', in a move that fans say has reignited his own cold war with social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM).

What happened

In an Instagram post reported on Friday, 30 October 2026, Davido congratulated Zlatan, Peruzzi and Shoday on the song, thanking God for its success. 'Inferno' reportedly reached the top of the Apple Music Nigeria chart within 12 hours of release, as well as the Nigerian iTunes chart and the chart in Sierra Leone. Listeners have linked one of its lines to VDM's first name and his past controversies.

VDM's response

VDM has continued to mock the song and Zlatan's recent wedding, suggesting the wedding was used to promote an album that he said did not perform well. He has also sarcastically challenged the song to stay at number one on Apple Music for a whole month.

Background

Davido and VDM were once close, but their friendship broke down earlier this year. This week, VDM's friend Kokopee said the activist felt betrayed by the singer. Zlatan's feud with VDM goes back to the period after the death of singer Mohbad in 2023, when VDM publicly pressed him and other industry figures to speak out.

How fans reacted

Many fans saw Davido's post as a clear signal of where he stands, while VDM's supporters dismissed the song's success as short-lived.

Rapper Zlatan Ibile has scored a chart-topping hit with a song widely seen as a response to social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM), and VDM has not stayed quiet.

The song

'Inferno', which features Peruzzi and Shoday, reportedly went to number one on the Apple Music Nigeria top songs chart and the Nigerian iTunes chart, according to reports on Friday, 30 October 2026. It also reportedly topped the chart in Sierra Leone. Fans have described it as a diss track aimed at VDM.

VDM's response

VDM reacted on his Instagram story with mockery, brushing off the chart success. Before the song reached number one, he had sarcastically challenged it to stay at the top for a full month and described the buzz around it as forced publicity.

Background

The feud between the two goes back to the period after the death of singer Mohbad in 2023, when VDM publicly pressured Zlatan and other music figures to speak out. More recently, VDM criticised Zlatan's high-profile wedding to Davita, claiming it was used to promote an album that did not do well. Zlatan has rarely responded directly, which is why many fans see 'Inferno' as his long-awaited reply.

How people reacted

Many users mocked VDM's response, with some calling it damage control, while his supporters said the song's success would not last. VDM has been involved in several online disputes this week, including with businessman Blord, former BBNaija winner Phyna and Davido's camp.

The family of the late singer Ilerioluwa 'Mohbad' Aloba has asked for the planned DNA test on his son, Liam, to be put on hold until it receives more information about how the samples will be handled.

What the family wants

In a statement signed by family head Samuel Aloba on Thursday, 29 October 2026, the family asked for the identity, address and accreditation of the laboratory in the United States that will analyse the samples. It also asked whether the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre would carry out the test itself or only collect samples to be sent abroad, and requested clear procedures to protect the samples on their journey. The family asked that all parties be given proper notice and that the court give further directions if needed.

Not opposing the test

The family said it was not against the paternity test and was not claiming that anything improper had happened. It said it only wanted transparency and safeguards to prevent any possible mishandling. The test had been scheduled to take place on Saturday, 31 October, at a hospital in Yaba, Lagos. It is not yet clear whether it will go ahead as planned.

Background

Mohbad died on 12 September 2023 at the age of 27, and his death sparked nationwide protests and calls for justice. The paternity of his son has since been the subject of a bitter dispute between his father, Joseph Aloba, and his widow, Omowunmi. A Lagos court ordered in May 2026 that the test be carried out by the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre.

What happens next

The widow's camp had not responded to the latest demand at the time of the report. Further court directions may be needed if the test is delayed.

Nigerian music star D'Banj has opened up about the loss of his son in an emotional post that touched many of his fans.

What he wrote

In an Instagram post shared on Thursday, 29 October 2026, the singer told his late son, Daniel, that he missed him and said he could not imagine what the boy's mother had been through. He wrote that the family had reached a safe space in their healing, alongside his wife, Lineo, and their other children. He thanked his son for teaching him what life really means, said he believed the boy was proud of the family, and asked him to greet his late uncle Femi. The post included several photos of father and son together.

Background

D'Banj's son, Daniel Oyebanjo III, drowned in June 2018 at the family home in Lagos when he was 13 months old. The tragedy shocked the entertainment industry, and the singer and his wife received messages of support from fans and colleagues at the time. D'Banj, one of the pioneers of modern Nigerian pop music, has spoken in the past about how the loss changed his life and his faith.

How people reacted

Fans and fellow celebrities flooded the comments with prayers and messages of comfort, praising the singer for speaking openly about grief and healing.