By Yinka Akanbi
Multiple award-winning artiste, Ayodeji Balogun, professionally known as Wizkid, has explained why he rejected being tagged an Afrobeats artiste.
Shortly after announcing that his next album, ‘Morayo’, was done, Wizkid followed it up with a series of posts saying, “I am not a f*cking Afrobeats artiste! I’m not Afro anything!”
A backlash of criticism had trailed the artistes comments after he denounced the Afrobeats genre – a sound that has increasingly gained global traction over the past few years and showcased Nigerian talents on the biggest global stages.
However, reacting to the backlash, the singer explained that his decision to cease identifying as an Afrobeats artiste was because he makes “all sorts of music.”
The ‘Essence’ crooner argued that because of the Afrobeats tag, African artists are always boxed in “one Africa category or the other.”
On his Instagram story, Wizkid wrote: “you lost people always want someone to educate you. You got your phone Google research sh*t or take a flight and see the world don’t be ignorant and stupid all the time.
“Listen, am I African? Yes! But I do make all sorts of music. Fine music! But I don’t want these labeled just afrobeats. That’s like saying every American artist makes rap. That’s stupid. This is why no matter how good or amazing the music we make be it RnB or whatever other genre, we all get nominated in one Africa category or the other.
“I’ve made songs from different genres of music. Made in Lagos is not an ‘Afrobeats’ album. That’s a fusion of different sounds. Real music!
The word Afrobeats was made up by y’all to put all we make into one box.
“Fela created Afrobeat!! I make all sorts of music. Fusion of sounds! ‘I’m an artiste’ before anything else. True to my art. Not scared to try shit. Now y’all drink some milk!”
Other Nigerian artistes who have rejected the Afrobeats tag include Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage and FireboyDML.
