August 25th 2023.
Burna Boy has experienced two hugely successful summers due to the immense crossover recognition of Afrobeats. As one of the most popular performers of the genre, many fans were taken aback by his comments on the music he is known for.
In a conversation with Zane Lowe, Burna Boy said: “90% of them have almost no real-life experiences that they can understand, which is why you hear most of Nigerian music, or I’ll say African… I don’t even know what to say. Afrobeats, as people call it, it’s mostly about nothing, literally nothing. There’s no substance to it.”
He believes that the music is missing the “essence” of life and the truth about the hardships of the people it represents. He went on to say, “The artist is a person who has good days, bad days, great days, and worst days. And for me, if I give you something like this with my face on it and my name, then I should be giving you that experience. That should be a window for you to see some of that essence.”
His comments were similar to those of the great Nina Simone, who felt it was the responsibility of the artist to “reflect the times”. However, many felt he was wrong in his assessment of Afrobeats.
One person said, “This is ignorance at its peak! A great time is not ‘nothing’. It is something. Something tangible.” Another tweeted, “Just like any genre, AfroBeats can vary widely in content and depth. It’s essential to recognize its ability to both entertain and carry significant message.”
As an artist himself, Burna Boy’s words hold a great deal of weight. His biggest hit, “Last Last”, speaks to the pain of heartbreak, thus many fans were taken aback by his critique of Afrobeats. In the end, it is all a matter of personal opinion; only Burna Boy knows what he truly thinks of the genre.
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