Jamaican dancehall icon Buju Banton has voiced his opinions on the global rise of Afrobeats, expressing concerns about the genre’s lack of acknowledgment towards its Caribbean influences. In a recent interview on the Drinking Champs podcast, Banton discussed Afrobeats’ international success, but criticized the genre for what he perceives as a lack of substance and respect for its roots.
Banton argued that while Afrobeats is gaining worldwide recognition, the music fails to address the socio-political struggles of the African continent, unlike the works of older African artists such as Fela Kuti, Salif Keita, and Youssou N’dour. He suggested that Afrobeats lacks the depth and impact that Reggae and Dancehall have traditionally offered, particularly in terms of documenting the realities of life and the political climate.
“A lot of culture vultures out there. They’ve focused on our music so hard & stolen our culture. They don’t give us no respect”
— OLAMIDE (@Olamide0fficial) August 11, 2024
– Buju Banton talks about Afrobeats not giving Jamaican Reggae & Dance hall enough props. pic.twitter.com/Ost7x1lBDx
The Jamaican star also pointed out that despite Reggae and Dancehall’s significant influence on Afrobeats and Latin American pop music like Reggaeton, both genres have not given proper credit to their Caribbean origins. Banton expressed disappointment that Afrobeats artists, despite drawing inspiration from Jamaican music, often overlook collaborations with Jamaican musicians in favor of artists from other regions.
Banton’s comments have sparked discussions on social media, with some users labeling his claims as inaccurate. Critics argue that Afrobeats does include conscious music and that Nigerian artists do, in fact, collaborate with their Jamaican counterparts.
You can watch Buju Banton’s full interview on Drinking Champs below.
