#FreeCuppy: DJ Cuppy is trending after Twitter user called her out for ‘No giveaway’ policy

Nigerian Twitter users must have noticed the hashtag #FreeCuppy currently trending at number 2 on Twitter Nigeria trends.

Social media users know very well how celebrities and brands often conduct some sort of giveaways to attract new fans and/or to ‘reward’ their current fanbase. The practice is actually so common that some social users religiously hunt for giveaways on social media by searching for the #giveaway hashtags in a bid to find out what freebies are up for grabs and to participate.

But one celebrity who is not an enthusiast of indulging in social media giveaways is DJ Cuppy born Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola. According to her, the practice is essentially tantamount to buying fans. Here is how she put it:

“To all my Cupcakes that complain I don’t do Money Giveaways, I hear you… BUT I’ve always felt like that was essentially paying people to be your fans? #TeamCuppy”

To all my Cupcakes that complain I don’t do Money Giveaways, I hear you… BUT I’ve always felt like that was essentially paying people to be your fans? ????? #TeamCuppy

— Cuppy #GELATO (@cuppymusic) October 28, 2019

The tweet understandably ignited a debate war on social media, with some for and some against.

“That’s so true! God bless your intelligence and thinking! Help people meaningfully and not giveaways!“, says user deesegh @dedayodav1.

Twitterer Olivia Tim Jacobs @Ebonylivia007 notes that DJ Cuppy is free to do what makes (her) happy. “Sweetheart”, she begins “it’s your money, you worked hard for it and it’s not a crime you came from a wealthy home. Those who love will continue to love you and those who don’t love you won’t even if you giveaway your body organs… Do what makes you happy,” she adds.

Twitter user Ricey @LocalRicey also agrees with that point of view, writing: “It’s life in general not only social media. People must talk no matter the stand you take in life. She should just go ahead and do what pleases her.”

But the vast majority of the singer’s followers disagreed with some calling her stingy.

“Is that how stingy you are?”, asks A N N A B E L. O J O N E @Annie_Perie, “Tomorrow you tell me to stream or subscribe to your YouTube channel… I greet you.”

Phylo Modlin Odu @PhyloOdu also agrees with her, noting: “@Annie_Perie you’re on point. Paying fans or not, a generous person is a generous person and she’s not one. Many of my friends who aren’t so rich or popular at all do giveaways from time to time. I do too.”

Twitterer Vally @Valenvalega’s reaction is to say “we need money to be buying cupcakes every day.”

A user noted Sunshine @Realsimsony opines that “at some point, you really need to give back to society cos they are part of your success story.”

While in Olawhandi @Olawhandy’s opinion, giving back is a way of touching lives and needn’t only be monetary. His words:

“Not true, these people will always have fans they give or not, they are not buying fans they are touching people’s lives. E.g. @DONJAZZY when he gave out those generators. Some of us just need a little push, it doesn’t need to be in the form of money.”

But one reaction that gave DJ Cuppy’s tweet traction was the response by a user identifying as Mazi @ @matthewamad who retweeted the singer’s tweet with a comment. According to Mazi, a giveaway from DJ Cuppy would be a “compensation for the trauma and emotional turmoil we go through enduring your music. We still love you sha. Music or no music. You are adorable.”

No Ma, it is compensation for the trauma and emotional turmoil we go through enduring your music. We still love you sha. Music or no music. You are adorable. https://t.co/wz68Flk8Cw

— Mazi (@matthewamad) October 28, 2019

The retweet went viral with many users chipping in their two kobos, which is mostly to condemn what they interpreted as Mazi being insensitive.

Okokon Emmanuel @Emmy_OffiXial, replying to @matthewamad: “Lol, this is actually insensitive. You sir, just caught your sub.”

Nneka @SheLovesArtemis, replying to @matthewamad: “Ain’t you too old to be unnecessarily rude online? Or is this also regarded as savagery?”

GABRIEL OKONKWO @gimoagapapa, replying to @matthewamad:

“That was harsh! I can’t believe this is coming from Mazi, everyone have the kind of music they enjoy and relax to. It could be torture to your ears and music to mine. Not fair at all sir”

Mazi was mean, and those coming at him are totally understandable, but insinuating that everyone not coming at him are only quiet because they are hoping to benefit from his giveaways, is absolutely a very stupid assumption.

— Cross? (@Elcrucifixio) October 29, 2019

One of the reasons Mazi’s (@matthewamad) tweet got traction may not be unconnected with the fact that many Twitter users seemed to have confused him with another popular Twitter user, Mazi Ibe @MaziIbe_. Mazi Ibe is a Twitter influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers.

So you people have been mistaking me with another Mazi?

Lol is that why my followers been growing?

Una think say giveaway dey here? Haq

— Mazi Ibe (@MaziIbe_) October 28, 2019

Next thing you know, one sassy Twitterer came up with the hashtag #FreeCuppy, an allegory that DJ Cuppy was being held hostage and cyberbullied for her ‘No giveaway’ policy. Hence, she needs to be rescued from the Twitter mob.

Why is my sweetheart trending?? Please if you don’t like her kind of music then leave her the hell alone, yes I don’t like her kind of music too #FreeCuppy

— Benue Breed ?? (@oyimzy) October 29, 2019

I’m seeing lots of ‘He didn’t bully her, that’s not bullying ‘ from people who should know better. It be Cuppy today, it’ll be someone else tomorrow and I’ll remind those defending him #FreeCuppy

— OBIANUJUAKU (@HRH_Ujuaku) October 29, 2019

So because DJ Cuppy no dey do giveaway na im make some people carry her matter 4 head ?. I thought we’ve passed this era of bullying her online. Abeg make una #FreeCuppy its not by force to share money to fans. How many giveaways Taylor swift, Ariana grande and Beyonce dey do?

— Afro – Medusa ? ? (@IbeeMadeIt) October 29, 2019

Twitter NG while we have succesfully #FreeCuppy from cyber bullying. Please don’t forget we have to #FreeSoworeNow from administrative bullying. https://t.co/Yy6EpTW56N

— Dunnex (@Iam_dunnex) October 28, 2019

+234 Twitter were the ones dragging and cyber bullying Dj Cuppy
The same people are now supporting and defending her
What exactly is wrong with you guys? #FreeCuppy

— CllayBaba (@Cllaytus) October 28, 2019

The rest is history as users jump on the trend.

Of course, many of the tweets are unrelated to the actual question of DJ Cuppy’s “No giveaway’ policy including some that are simply drawing attention to their own giveaway.

all u need to do is retweet&DM your full name address and phone number I will select randomly,
Pls if you want to win make sure you are following me and Retweet. my Dm is open #ASUU #FreeCuppy pic.twitter.com/S1rZ2tmIx9

— CUBANA CHIEF PRIEST (@GRAND_cubana) October 29, 2019

And some that bear no actual resemblance to the giveaway question, just this man pleading for retweets to regain his freedom.

Twitter, like most popular social media platforms, is a noisy place. And if you want to be heard, using a hashtag might get you you noticed especially when you are an obscure user with little or no followership to boast of.