Buju Banton Accuses Afrobeats of Appropriating Dancehall Without Proper Acknowledgment

• Buju Banton’s Critique: Jamaican dancehall star Buju Banton has criticized Afrobeats for appropriating Dancehall without adequately acknowledging its Caribbean roots.
• Afrobeats’ Global Success: Despite Afrobeats’ international acclaim, Banton argues that it lacks the sociopolitical depth and connection to the continent’s struggles found in the music of older African artists.
• Comparison with Reggae: Banton contrasts Afrobeats with Reggae, emphasizing that Reggae music reflects various aspects of life and political climates, a characteristic he feels Afrobeats lacks.

Jamaican dancehall icon Buju Banton voiced his concerns about the global rise of Afrobeats.

During an interview on the Drinking Champs Podcast, he suggested that the genre is not properly acknowledging its Caribbean influences.

While Afrobeats, driven by Nigerian artists, enjoys international success with major awards, collaborations, and record-breaking concerts, Banton feels the genre falls short in capturing the socio-political essence of Africa.

Banton expressed that, despite Afrobeats’ commercial success, the music lacks the edifying and reflective qualities of earlier African artists such as Fela Kuti, Salif Keita, and Youssou N’Dour.

He noted that these artists’ music often addressed the struggles and political issues facing the continent, a depth he feels is missing in contemporary Afrobeats.

According to Banton, while Afrobeats and Latin American Reggaeton are influenced by Reggae and Dancehall, there is a noticeable lack of acknowledgment for these Caribbean roots. He criticized Afrobeats for not collaborating with Jamaican artists, instead opting for features with artists from other regions.

Watch the full interview below: