Nigerian dancehall star Timaya has found himself at the centre of online attention after a viral stage moment with comedian Real Warri Pikin during the 2026 AFRIMMA event in Dallas, Texas.
The incident happened on September 12 during Timaya’s performance at the African Muzik Magazine Awards festival, where Real Warri Pikin was also honoured with the Best Stand-Up Comedian award.
Videos from the event showed Real Warri Pikin joining Timaya on stage during his performance of his hit song “Ukwu.” During the performance, Timaya lifted the comedian off the ground as part of the stage routine.
The brief interaction quickly went viral on social media, attracting mixed reactions from viewers. Some questioned the appropriateness of the moment because Real Warri Pikin is married, while others viewed it as part of an energetic concert performance.
Real Warri Pikin Explains What Happened
Following the backlash, Real Warri Pikin addressed the controversy in a video shared on Instagram, apologising to her husband and Nigerians who were uncomfortable with what happened.
She explained that she had been backstage enjoying Timaya’s performance when the singer invited a woman onto the stage. According to her account, she joined spontaneously because she was caught up in the excitement of the performance.
She said she initially resisted when Timaya attempted to lift her and could be seen in the viral footage asking him not to carry her. She eventually participated after being encouraged to continue with the performance.
The comedian also indicated that her husband was unhappy about the incident and said being in the United States made it more difficult to immediately resolve the situation with him.
Timaya’s Performance Draws Fresh Attention
The viral episode has once again highlighted Timaya’s energetic performance style, particularly his interaction with female fans and guests during live shows.
Reports noted that similar stage routines have featured in some of his performances, making the AFRIMMA moment part of a broader pattern of audience interaction rather than a previously announced collaboration between the two entertainers.
Despite the controversy surrounding the viral clip, Timaya continues to remain active musically. His 2026 releases include “Kontrol,” a collaboration with fellow South-South musician Duncan Mighty, while Apple Music lists the track among his latest releases.
For now, the AFRIMMA stage moment has shifted much of the online conversation surrounding Timaya away from his music and toward his interaction with Real Warri Pikin, whose explanation and apology have continued to generate reactions across social media.
