Nigerian rapper Highstarlavista has come under heavy criticism following a concert stunt where he was caught on video dragging a baby goat across the stage, igniting widespread outrage over alleged animal cruelty and renewed calls for accountability.
The moment reportedly happened during a recent show at Brownhill Coliseum in Nigeria. Footage from the event captures the artist pulling a visibly shaken young goat named “Chigbo” beneath bright stage lights and booming music while the audience watched. The goat appeared clearly distressed as it was dragged across the stage, triggering swift backlash once the clips began making rounds online.
Social media users wasted no time blasting the act, describing it as cruel and completely unnecessary. Many called for animal welfare agencies to step in, while others pushed for the rapper to be banned from involving animals in future performances.
“You’re a piece of shit for this,” one user wrote in the video’s comment section. Another added, “This is animal abuse I hope you go to jail.”
A different user tweeted, “You deserve the same fate as that goat.”
Animal rights activists backed those sentiments, calling for tougher enforcement of laws protecting animals from public mistreatment, especially in entertainment spaces. Some critics also turned their attention to the crowd, accusing concert attendees of encouraging behavior they felt crossed moral boundaries.
Meanwhile, some of Highstarlavista’s supporters tried to offer context, suggesting the goat was meant to symbolize the acronym “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest Of All Time). The rapper, however, has yet to publicly clarify the meaning behind the stunt, leaving its purpose unclear.
Following the online uproar, Highstarlavista later shared two posts showing him feeding and giving water to the baby goat.
“Season greetings, Love & respect for Life. Thank you for your concerns,” he wrote. “Y’all meet Chigbo.. proof that even damaged ecosystems still deserve HOPE.”
Highstarlavista, known for fusing Igbo cultural elements with modern rap and Afrobeats, has steadily grown his fanbase through songs like “Obodobo,” “Joystick,” and “Pablo et Chapo,” along with his debut project The Prophecy. However, the controversy surrounding the goat incident has put a damper on his upward momentum, with questions still hanging over whether authorities will step in or if the rapper will personally respond to the criticism.
