Yemi Alade blasts singers downplaying ‘Afrobeats’ genre

Yemi Alade argued that the “Afrobeats” genre of music has contributed to every Nigerian artiste’s development

By Kehinde Okeowo

Popular Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Yemi Alade has frowned at the decision of some of her colleagues to downplay the “Afrobeats” genre.

She showed her anger in a now-viral post on her X handle, where she argued that while it is not wrong for artistes to clarify the type of music they sing especially if they feel Afrobeats doesn’t define their art, it is hypocrisy for them to downplay the genre.

The ‘Johnny’ crooner went on to say the style of music has contributed to every Nigerian artiste’s development.

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Speaking via her verified social media handle, Yemi Alade tweeted: “I don’t see anything wrong in informing your listeners of the genre of music an artist makes especially when you feel it doesn’t define your art.

“Just Announce your Genre in peace. Downplaying the role Afrobeats has played in every artist’s development is hypocrisy.”

Alade’s social media outburst is coming against the backdrop of Wizkid and Burna Boy’s recent denouncement of Afrobeats genre.

They claimed that they ditched the genre because all African artistes are boxed into Afrobeats regardless of their musical styles.