Tems Defends Afrobeats as a Genre of Escapism Amid Buju Banton’s Criticism
Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has described Afrobeats as a genre rooted in escapism, offering a different perspective in response to recent criticism from Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton.
During a recent episode of the ‘Shopping The Sneakers’ podcast, Banton expressed his belief that Afrobeats lacks substance and predicted that the genre would eventually lose its appeal. In response, Tems acknowledged Banton’s viewpoint but emphasized that Afrobeats serves a distinct purpose, particularly within the Nigerian context.
“I understand where Buju Banton is coming from,” Tems remarked. “Reggae is not Afrobeats, and Afrobeats in Nigeria is specifically for escapism; that’s the purpose of Afrobeats.”
Tems’ comments highlight the genre’s role as a means for Nigerians to momentarily escape the challenges of their daily lives, rather than focusing on addressing societal issues.
