Ghanaian-British Afrobeat star Fuse ODG has responded to recent comments made by reggae legend Buju Banton, who criticized the Afrobeat genre for lacking the cultural depth needed to uplift African communities.
In a recent media interaction, Buju Banton expressed his concerns about the current state of Afrobeat, arguing that it has deviated from its original purpose of addressing societal issues and inspiring positive change.
He lamented that, unlike Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, who used his music as a tool for social activism, today’s Afrobeat artists have largely failed to carry forward this legacy.
Fuse ODG, however, strongly disagrees with Buju Banton’s assessment. In a video shared on X, the “Antenna” hitmaker acknowledged that while some Afrobeat songs may lack a strong message, it is unfair to paint the entire genre with the same brush.
He emphasized that Afrobeat remains a powerful and spiritual medium that continues to resonate deeply with Africans and people of African descent around the world.
“I understand where Buju is coming from because not all Afrobeat hits carry a message, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t artists within the genre who do,” Fuse ODG said. “Afrobeat is spiritual, and often, we speak in our mother tongue to connect with Africans and the diaspora globally.”
He went on to highlight the positive impact Afrobeat has had, particularly in fostering a renewed sense of pride and connection among people of African descent. “This music is helping Africans fall back in love with themselves, encouraging African-Americans and Afro-Caribbeans to return home and connect with their roots,” he added.
Fuse ODG concluded by acknowledging the challenges within the genre but emphasized that Afrobeat is playing a crucial role in empowering Black people to reclaim their heritage and is also generating significant economic benefits for African countries.
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