Achalugo singer, Favour Anosike, aka Ugoccie, has said she has never felt pressured to create controversy or drama to remain relevant in the music industry.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday Scoop, the singer reflected on the growing culture of controversy-driven publicity, explaining why she has chosen to let her work speak for itself.

“I have never felt pressured to create drama to stay relevant because I strongly believe that talent, consistency and authenticity will always stand the test of time. Sadly, we now live in an era where everybody wants clout and attention at any cost. They always say, ‘No publicity is bad publicity, whether good or bad.’

“Controversy may bring temporary attention, but it doesn’t necessarily build a lasting legacy,” she said.

Ugoccie added that her priority has always been creating music that resonates with listeners rather than generating headlines through unnecessary drama.

“I want people to remember me for my music, my artistry and the impact of my work rather than for unnecessary headlines. I have always chosen to let my craft speak for me, and thankfully, my audience appreciates and connects with that authenticity,” she added.

The singer also weighed in on the ongoing debate about whether afrobeats is becoming more focused on virality, luxury lifestyles and social media attention than artistic excellence.

“I think social media and the digital age have changed how music is consumed, so naturally, artists are paying more attention to visibility and virality. However, I don’t believe artistry has been completely sacrificed. Great music still stands out, and people always return to it.

“I believe the challenge is finding a balance between staying visible and staying true to one’s art. For me, substance will always come first because trends fade, but good music lives forever.”

Speaking about misconceptions people have about her, the singer revealed that many assume her journey has been smooth because of her confident and cheerful disposition.

“One of the biggest misconceptions people have about me is that everything came easy because I appear confident and cheerful. The truth is that my journey has involved a lot of sacrifice, disappointments, setbacks and moments of uncertainty.

“What might shock many people is the number of times I had to keep going despite doors being shut in my face. There were moments when giving up seemed easier, but my passion for music, my amazing manager, the people who support me and my belief in God’s timing kept me going.”

Ugoccie also revealed that before establishing herself as a musician, she built a career in radio broadcasting, where she worked for nearly three years.

On whether she could ever quit music, the singer was emphatic that it is far more than a profession to her.

“Music is more than a career to me; it is a calling and a huge part of who I am. I honestly cannot imagine completely walking away from it. Even if I am not actively performing someday, I would still be creating, writing or contributing to music in some capacity. It would take something extremely significant for me to stop making music entirely.”