Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi popularly known in music circles as Tems has responded to Jamaican reggae legend Buju Banton’s criticism of the Afrobeats genre.
Recall that the ‘Destiny’ crooner recently criticized Afrobeats artistes, saying that despite their appeal to music lovers, their music lacks substance and doesn’t tackle important issues.
He stated during a recent episode of the US podcast Drink Champs that despite its widespread popularity, the genre fails to address pressing socio-political issues or uplift the African people, emphasizing the need for meaningful music.
Buju Banton said; “When you look at what they’re doing, their music is not freeing Africa,” Banton said. “It’s fx!kery… their music needs to free Africa. If I’m in Jamaica and my country and my people fight to free your continent with word, sound and power, and you have the ability now and all you’re singing is fx!kery? You don’t sing a song to free Africa now… we desire more from them. You want the money? Go get it, but what’s going to be said about you later on? You didn’t make any impact.
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“Tell me one Afrobeats song that can uplift us. Kenya is suffering. The young men of Kenya are revolting… Sudan, South Sudan, you name it. But which one of these songs can I relate to for peace of mind; to tell me that I’m in the struggle and we are going to be better in the struggle, and even though the struggle is hard, we’re going to overcome.”
In her reply to the remarks made by the Jamaican singer, Tems clarified that Afrobeats in Nigeria offers a much-needed respite from societal problems by escaping the harsh realities of existence.
She also noted the unique distinctions between the Afrobeats and reggae music genres, stressing each music’s significance and function.
“I understand where Buju Banton is coming from. Reggae is not afrobeats and afrobeats in Nigeria is specifically for escapism; that’s the purpose of afrobeats,” she said.
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