Destiny Boy, 22, Afrofuji Singer Who Rose to Fame Online, Dies as Police Open Investigation

By the time Destiny Boy’s voice first swept across Nigerian social media in 2019, it carried the promise of something new.

He fused the raw, traditional cadence of Fuji music with the sleek pulse of Afrobeats, transforming pop hits into street anthems that resonated deeply with young listeners. On Sunday, January 18, 2026, that voice was silenced.

Afeez Adeshina, the 22-year-old singer and performer better known as Destiny Boy, died after what close associates described as a prolonged and troubling illness.

Reports from people in his circle said he had been experiencing severe seizures and episodes of vomiting blood in the days and weeks leading up to his death. His passing has stunned Nigeria’s entertainment industry, ignited controversy online, and prompted a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his final hours.

According to preliminary accounts, Mr. Adeshina died in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. His body was later moved to Abeokuta, the state capital, where burial arrangements are being made in line with Islamic rites.

On Monday, the Ogun State Police Command confirmed that one suspect had been arrested in connection with the death and that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department’s homicide section for further inquiry. Police officials said they were not ruling out any possibilities and would determine whether foul play was involved.

“An investigation is ongoing,” a police spokesperson said, adding that forensic and witness reports would guide the next steps.

The lack of clarity has only deepened the sense of shock around the young artist’s death.

Mr. Adeshina’s rise was swift and largely organic. In 2019, still in his mid-teens, he posted a Fuji-style cover of Davido’s hit song “If.” The performance, delivered in Yoruba and infused with traditional Fuji rhythms, went viral almost immediately. It marked him as a rare bridge between generations: a young performer who honored indigenous sound while reimagining it for a digital audience.

He followed with reinterpretations of songs by Tekno, 2Baba, 9ice, and Small Doctor, steadily building a loyal following, especially among street music fans in Lagos and Ogun State. His popularity brought him to major grassroots stages, including the Omo Better Concert in Agege. Earlier in his career, he worked as a backup dancer for Fuji icon Alhaji Wasiu Alabi Pasuma at 2TBoyz Studios, where he honed his stage presence and performance discipline.

In November 2024, Destiny Boy’s life appeared to be entering a hopeful new chapter. He and his partner, Iremide, welcomed their first child, a baby boy. He shared celebratory posts on social media, presenting himself not just as a rising star but as a young father determined to provide for his family.

That image now sits uneasily beside the turmoil that has followed his death.

Within hours of the first reports that he had died, a leaked Yoruba-language voice note began circulating widely on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp. In the audio, a woman identified as his mother is heard uttering intense curses and expressing anguish and anger toward her son. She accuses him of betrayal, of attempting harm, and of prioritizing his wife over his family. The language is emotionally charged and spiritual in nature, invoking concepts such as “ogun oru” (nocturnal warfare) and referencing illness resembling epilepsy-like seizures.

The clip spread rapidly, igniting outrage and grief in equal measure. Some listeners reacted with disbelief, questioning how a mother could speak so harshly about her child. Others interpreted it as a raw and tragic portrait of a deeply fractured family relationship, possibly shaped by fear, misunderstanding, and emotional trauma.

Destiny Boy’s sister later addressed the controversy in a public post, defending their mother and urging the public to refrain from attacking her character during a period of mourning. She described the viral interpretations as unfair and called for compassion and restraint.

Adding to the unsettling atmosphere was a resurfaced social media post by the singer himself:

“Either I make this money, or I die young; money must be made.”

In death, the line has taken on an ominous resonance. For some fans, it reflects the intense pressure young entertainers face as they struggle for financial stability. For others, it has fueled speculation about spiritual conflict, lifestyle stress, or the emotional toll of fame at an early age.

Tributes have poured in from across Nigeria’s music community. Small Doctor shared a somber musical tribute accompanied by broken-heart emojis. Figures associated with Portable’s camp were publicly mourned. Fans posted old performance videos, prayer messages, and recollections of how Destiny Boy’s music had brought joy to their daily lives.

“He was one of the few who made Fuji sound young again,” one fan wrote. “He made tradition feel fresh.”

As the police continue their investigation, many questions remain unanswered. What exactly caused his sudden deterioration? Were there medical failures, personal conflicts, or external factors involved? Was his death purely the result of illness, or is there more to uncover?

What is certain is that Destiny Boy’s story now ends in sorrow and uncertainty. He leaves behind a young child who will grow up knowing his father through music and memory, a fan base grappling with grief, and a career that promised far more than its brief span allowed.