Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Tems has provided insight into the essence of Afrobeats, describing it as a genre designed for escapism. During a discussion on the Shopping The Sneakers podcast, Tems explained that Afrobeats serves as a means for Nigerians to escape the harsh realities of life, rather than a platform for addressing societal issues.
Tems made this clarification in response to Jamaican reggae legend Buju Banton, who had earlier criticized Afrobeats for lacking substance and predicted its decline.
Addressing Banton’s comments, Tems said:
“I understand where Buju Banton is coming from. Reggae is not Afrobeats, and Afrobeats in Nigeria is specifically for escapism; that’s the purpose of Afrobeats.”
Tems’ remarks highlight the different cultural functions that genres like reggae and Afrobeats serve in their respective communities. While reggae has often been used as a vehicle for social and political commentary, Afrobeats, according to Tems, is more focused on providing an emotional escape for its listeners.
