Seun Kuti Ignites Debate in Nigerian Music Industry, States: “Afrobeats Is a Title, Not a Genre”
- Popular Afrobeat star Seun Kuti shared his hot take on the term Afrobeats used in the Nigerian music industry
- In a recent interview, the father of one claimed that Afrobeats is a "title" rather than a musical genre
- The Grammy-nominated saxophonist stated that Afrobeats musicians and executives do not consider it a genre
Nigerian renowned singer and instrumentalist Seun Kuti has argued that Afrobeats music is not a genre.
In a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM Lagos, Kuti explained that the word is generally used to refer to all African music rather than a specific genre.
Source: Instagram
He pointed out that many Afrobeats musicians and executives do not approach the genre as a whole, but rather produce varied songs that incorporate a variety of inspirations.
According to Seun, musicians routinely swing between styles such as dancehall, Nigerian pop, and Amapiano without being limited to a single genre, making Afrobeats a catch-all rather than a specific musical genre.
Kuti said, “I think Afrobeats is more of a title than a genre. You can see Amapiano is the new Afrobeats. It’s the new title, it’s the new thing in Afrobeats. So, Afrobeats is just a generalisation; it’s just a title to identify something from a particular place [Africa].
“I don’t think it’s a genre. Even the gatekeepers, the big names, don’t deal with it like a genre; they don’t work it like a genre. They are [Afrobeats] artists that are eclectic in a way that they could do a dancehall track today, do a blue track tomorrow, do a Nigerian pop sound, jump on Amapiano, and whatever is trending. So, I think it’s actually a title,” he stated.
Source: UGC
Reaction trail Seun Kuti’s take on Afrobeats
Legit.ng compiled the reactions below:
mc_cain1 said:
"Afrobeats is recognized as a genre, the way “pop” or “EDM” is."
bash_of_redoc said:
"It's sha music and we play it,dance to it and enjoy it,😂any name wey una like make una call afrobeat ,we accept😂."
thebackendbuoysmileforme_dee1 saide:
"Facts bro! I have always thought of it too. 🙌."
realsaint_003 siad:
He is right. Does afrobeat have a single sound pattern ? Afrobeat isn’t a genre of music, it is modern music of African origin, not necessarily a sound."
06_by_mayclothing said:
"His boldness ❤️❤️❤️❤️."
fikunademii said:
"Nigerian music today is too diverse to be boxed into one rigid sound. Artists switch styles freely, blending amapiano, pop, dancehall, and hip-hop. Afrobeat as a title works because it gives global identity, but calling it a strict genre ignores the creativity and fusion that define the industry. It’s more of a cultural brand than a fixed musical formula.
vybesjust said:
"Always want to say controversial stuff… before you said it Afrobeat with the s and you don change goal post again .. we sha know say ur papa created Afrobeat sound and we have afrobeats the genre.. full stop."
oolaaajr said:
"Seun every day you come up with different narratives."
olamilekan_ab95 said:
"Someone please help me with any amount to get food please 🙏💔🥲may you never lack .. God bless you immensely."
6keys09 said:
"Na this lunatic come de describe music 🎶 Una country don finish."
Seun Kuti claims artists launder money
According to a previous report by Legit.ng, Seun Kuti alleged that his colleagues in the Nigerian music industry might be into money laundering.
In a video shared by the artist, he noted that he had been touring for 20 years and still struggling to build a house.
He called on the youths to wake up and see the reality of life and the game many are playing just to survive.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
