Celebrities React to Burna Boy’s Statement About Afrobeats Lacking ‘Substance’
Prominent figures from Africa’s music scene have chimed in with their reactions to Burna Boy’s recent interview in which he shared his perspective on what Afrobeats signifies to him.
In the lead-up to the release of his forthcoming album “I Told Them,” Nigerian music sensation Burna Boy sat down for an interview with Apple Music. During the conversation, he made a statement regarding Afrobeats, suggesting that the genre lacks substance and meaning. This remark has sparked discussions and garnered responses from both the Nigerian public and notable celebrities.
One such response came from music artist and producer Pheelz, who took to his social media platforms to express his sadness over Burna Boy’s remarks. Pheelz’s commentary underscored the impact of the statement on the music community.
Music executive Bizzle Osikoya also weighed in on the interview, emphasizing the importance of Nigerian artists undergoing training to enhance their interactions with international media. He advocated for better communication strategies to prevent potentially worrisome statements from being misinterpreted or negatively received.
Grammy-nominated artist Bankuli, known for his involvement in the music industry, used his social media presence to voice his concern about Burna Boy’s stance. Bankuli’s posts on the topic included the thought-provoking phrase “there is sense in nonsense. Read again.”
Another music industry figure, critic Joey Akan, expressed his shock and disappointment at Burna Boy’s comments. Akan countered Burna Boy’s argument by highlighting the subjective nature of the concept of substance in music. He pointed out that the Afrobeats genre has evolved over time, with contemporary artists addressing diverse issues such as mental health struggles, anxiety, and more in their projects.
Burna Boy’s remarks on Afrobeats have stirred a robust exchange of opinions within the music community, shedding light on the complexities and diversity within the genre. As the discussion unfolds, it becomes evident that Afrobeats holds different meanings for various artists, fans, and stakeholders in the African music industry.
