May 3, (THEWILL)- Singer, Yemi Alade, says downplaying the role of Afrobeats in the development of music artistes is hypocrisy.
Afrobeats has been one of Africa’s biggest exports in the past years. In 2023, Afrobeats enjoyed massive global recognition, with top Nigerian artistes like Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid, David Adeleke, aka Davido and Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy — among others — gracing the stages of some of the biggest events and occasions worldwide.
But Wizkid recently sparked controversy after he asked the public not to label him an Afrobeats artiste.
He said although he is African, he makes all sorts of music.
He said referring to every song as Afrobeats is why Nigerian artistes are only nominated in African categories of music awards like the Grammys.
Similarly, Burna Boy, in 2022, said his style of music is called Afrofusion, and not Afrobeats as assumed.
In a post via her Instagram story, Alade said African artistes are free to define their music genre.
The songstress, however, advised her colleagues not to downplay the role of Afrobeats in their development.
“I don’t see anything wrong in informing your listeners of the genre of music an artist makes, especially when you feel it doesn’t define your art.
“Just announce your genre in peace. Downplaying the role Afrobeats has played in every artist’s development is hypocrisy.”
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