Afrobeats is in danger and everyone is running away from the umbrella term

When the movement became ‘ Afrobeats to the world’, many people ran with that umbrella, and used it to open and further the boundaries of their music.

Afrobeats, a brainchild of Nigeria, has enjoyed immense global success. When the movement took on the tagline "Afrobeats to the world," many artists embraced the umbrella term and used it to expand the horizons of their music.

Being an Afrobeats artist became highly desirable as the world clamored for the sound. However, the tide seems to be turning, with Afrobeats facing a threat and artists distancing themselves from the umbrella term.

Several artists have risen to prominence, amassing wealth and opportunities through their association with Afrobeats, only to later downplay or dismiss the genre.

Burna Boy has asserted that his music falls under the category of Afro-fusion, not Afrobeats (despite the definition of Afrobeats itself being Afro-fusion), while Wizkid has expressed his desire to no longer be labeled an Afrobeats artist. Tems, too, has stated that she does not identify as an Afrobeats artist, and many more have made similar statements.

Most recently, Flavour, in an interview with Adesope Shopsy doo, stated that he was unperturbed by not being included in discussions about top Afrobeats players because he considered himself an African artist, not an Afrobeats artist.

He went on to say that not everyone had to fit into the Afrobeats narrative and that he was content with being an African artist, adding that any conversation about African music had to include Flavour.

Afrobeats is African Music, but not all African music is Afrobeats

This statement is indeed controversial and a discussion that the industry may not be fully prepared for. However, I find myself agreeing with Flavour's point that Afrobeats is not synonymous with African music. Not all music coming out of Nigeria can be classified as Afrobeats.

There are artists making R&B, Fuji, Highlife, and other genres. For example, Johnny Drille's music is distinct from Asake's. Ogbonjayar's sound differs from Seyi Vibez's.

The crux of the issue lies in the lack of a clear definition for Afrobeats. It is essentially a fusion of sounds that incorporates African elements. It feels more like a culture or a movement than a specific genre. This is why the pioneers of the sound often attempt to further define their music.

Another point of contention is Flavour's need to recognize that Afrobeats is a type of African music. The biggest Afrobeats stars are still African artists, and their music also contains fundamental elements of African music.

Asake's sound heavily relies on Fuji music, Rema's music is largely influenced by Benin culture and the recent street tempo and sound, and Apala music is making a surprising comeback in the mainstream.

Afrobeats, by definition, is a fusion of sounds with African elements, which allows the genre to claim to be African music and vice versa.

However, the context in which Flavour used the term "African music" is valid. When considering artists like Fally Ipupa, Diamond Platinumz, Sarkodie, Sauti Sol, Angelique Kidjo, and others, they come to mind when discussing African artists.

Their sound is distinct and differs from that of mainstream Afrobeats artists. In this context, a conversation about African music cannot exclude Flavour. Similarly, in Afrobeats, you cannot discuss the genre without mentioning Flavour.

What is Afrobeats? It is an umbrella term used to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, then Ghana and the UK in the 2000s and 2010s.

Afrobeats is less of a style per se and more of a descriptor for the fusion of sounds flowing majorly out of Nigeria. Genres such as hiplife, jùjú music, highlife, azonto music, and Naija beats, among others, were amalgamated under the “Afrobeats” umbrella.

African music is essentially music from Africa. The big question is who is wrong? I don't think anyone is. Better education will do us a favour in these tough times. Also, the definition and what we decide to call Afrobeats needs to change. Really soon too.