Davido denounces Afrobeat for Afrofusion
Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido has joined his colleagues, Burna Boy and Wizkid to distance himself from Afrobeat.
In an interview on the latest edition of the Business Untitled Podcast, Davido lamented the constant stereotyping of African artists in the Afrobeats genre regardless of their musical style.
He described his own genre of music as Afro-fusion rather than Afro-beats as he noted how Afrobeat is a sound that was originally pioneered by Fela Kuti, but now all African songs are termed Afrobeats.
To further portray his point, he further pointed out how if an artiste sings pure R&B sounding like SZA, Summerwalker, etc, they are put under Afrobeats and if an African rapper raps like Drake, they are still being put under Afrobeats.
In his words, “The first place that accepted African music outside Africa was the UK before America later joined. The UK termed African music Afrobeats.
Afrobeat is a sound that was originally pioneered by Fela Kuti. But now all African songs are termed Afrobeats. If an African artiste sings pure R&B, sounding like SZA, or Summerwalker, they put them under Afrobeats. If an African rapper raps like Drake, they still put them under Afrobeats.
I don’t get offended when we’ve been categorized as Afrobeats. I mean, we need a genre. It could be R&B or Afropop. I call my music Afrofusion but I’m not big on ‘O put Afrofusion on my song.’ I know how long it took for African music to become mainstream.”
His statement has since caused a stir online with many claiming he was imitating Wizkid and Burna Boy.
One I Am Pelumi wrote, “Wizkid already explained this but y’all didn’t want to accept the truth”.
1hameed wrote, “OBO,, when you start dey do Afrofusion wey we no know?”
Ridwanu Allah wrote, “They call Wiz a madman”
Kay Cayy wrote, “Who come dey do Afrobeats?”
Peter wrote, “Artistes need to stop puttering by themselves in a box because of where they come from because you’re from Africa doesn’t necessarily mean you make Afrobeats”.
Josh wrote, “No Nigerian is singing pure RnB and no Nigerian rapper is rapping like Drake”.
Esko Barz wrote, “He don watch Burna Boy interview well, e don finally know wetin Afrofusion mean”.
Ghost Hurt wrote, “Burna Boy’s influence”.
Recall that Wizkid had also clarified that he is not an Afrobeats artiste, and warned the public to address him accordingly.
The singer stated this on Friday, 15th of March while announcing that his next album was complete and ready to be released.
Wizkid warned fans not to expect an old version or Afrobeats sound on the album which will be titled ‘Morayo’, after his late mother.
In what seemed like a rant, he urged fans who are looking forward to hearing the old Wizkid, to not bother downloading his new project and delete him from their playlist.
Furthermore, the ‘Fever’ crooner warned bloggers and other media outfits not to post his album or report details about it when he finally releases Morayo.
He wrote; “Album done! See you soon b*tches! And abeg if you like Pakurumo Wizkid, don’t download this new album. In fact, delete me from your playlist and your life! If you like Afrobeats, don’t download my album. I’m not a f*cking Afrobeats artiste. I am not Afro anything.”
By Ezinne Okorie.
