UK-based Ghanaian artiste and Afrobeats pioneer, Fuse ODG, has responded to reggae legend Buju Banton’s recent criticism about Afrobeats music.
Buju Banton sparked controversy in an interview by dismissing Afrobeats as “uninspiring” and questioning its ability to empower Africans, despite the genre’s global success.
“A lot of culture vultures out there. They’ve focused on our music so hard and stolen our culture. I’m not knocking nobody but they don’t give us no respect. And you still expect us to act like we take something from you?
“This [reggae] is the King’s music. Your music [afrobeats] shall come and go because it has nothing to do with soul or building energy. Our music is a time marker. You can remember when you went on your first date, when you got married when you are happy and when you are sad. Because it’s the King’s music.
“I went to Africa in 1991, I spent three weeks educating people from Ghana and all over the continent about reggae music and dancehall.
“I was happy when they came to their senses to realise that music is the bridge that’s going to connect us. But I was disappointed because they didn’t try to connect with Jamaica, the root. They connected with everyone else except us. I’m talking about Afrobeats [artistes]”.
“Kenya is suffering; young men in Kenya are revolting. South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan—everywhere is struggling. But which of these Afrobeats songs can relate to me for peace of mind, to tell me that we are in the struggle, and even though it’s hard, we will overcome? Tell me,” Buju Banton said in the interview.
Responding to the legendary Reggae artiste’s assertion, Fuse ODG stated that even though most afrobeat songs have no message, the genre is spiritual.
“I get where Buju is coming from because most afrobeat hits do not have the message in it but that is not to say there are no afrobeat artiste with positive messages in their music. Afrobeat is so spiritual and most often, we speak in our mother tongue to connect with Africans and people of African descent all across the globe.
“This music is now allowing Africans to fall back, fall in love with themselves, and be proud to be Africans. It is allowing African Americans to want to come back home. It’s allowing Afro-Caribbeans to come home and connect to their roots,” he added.
Fuse ODG also pointed out that while Afrobeats may have its limitations, it has enabled Black people to reclaim their cultural heritage and connect with their roots.
Moreover, the genre has become a significant economic driver for many African nations, generating substantial revenue and promoting cultural exchange.
By doing so, Afrobeats is empowering African countries to harness their creative resources and celebrate their unique identity.
