- Buju Banton criticizes Afrobeats for lacking uplifting messages
- Fuse ODG responds, highlighting Afrobeats' positive impact on African pride
- Fuse ODG defends Afrobeats as a genre that promotes unity and revenue for Africa
Ghanaian Afrobeats artiste Fuse ODG has fired back at reggae artiste Buju Banton’s recent claims that Afrobeats music lacks inspiration and fails to uplift Africans.
In a recent interview with Drink Champs podcast, Buju Banton questioned the ability of Afrobeats to provide solace and inspiration to Africans during times of struggle. “Tell me one Afrobeats song that can uplift us,” he challenged.
Buju Banton expressed disappointment that Afrobeats has failed to connect with Jamaica, which he considers the roots of the music. “They connected with everyone else except us,” he lamented. “We want more from them… Reggae music still stands predominant. It is still the king’s music.”
Fuse ODG took to social media to share a dissenting view. “I get where Buju is coming from because most Afrobeats hits do not have the message in it. But that is not to say there are no Afrobeats artistes with positive messages in their music.”
Fuse ODG argued that Afrobeats is a spiritual genre that connects Africans and people of African descent worldwide through mother tongue lyrics. “This music is now allowing Africans to fall back, fall in love with themselves, and be proud to be Africans… It’s allowing Black people to take ownership of their motherlands and also bring huge revenues to most African countries.”
