Ghanaian Afrobeats artiste based in the United Kingdom, Nana Richard Abiona, popularly known as Fuse ODG, has responded to recent claims by reggae artiste Buju Banton that afrobeats music is uninspiring and lacks the ability to give Africans upliftment.
In an interview with Drink Champs podcast, Buju Banton said: “tell me one Afrobeats song that can uplift us.”
“Kenya is suffering; young men in Kenya are revolting. South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan—everywhere is struggling. But which of these Afrobeats songs can relate to me for a peace of mind, to tell me that we are in the struggle, and even though it’s hard, we will overcome? Tell me,” he said.
He said except for Fela Kuti who used his songs to cause social change among his people, Afrobeats songs have fail to evoke similar causes.
The Gargamel music boss told the hosts, N.O.R.E and DJ EFN, even though he was happy to see the Afrobeats take over the world, he is disappointed they 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. You want the money? Go and get it! But what is going to be said about you later on and your posterity? You didn’t make any impact! So reggae music still stands predominant. It is still the king’s music,” he added.
Fuse ODG, in a social media post shared a dissenting view on the matter.
“I get where Buju is coming from because most afrobeat hits do not have the message in it. but that is not to say there are no afrobeat artiste with positive messages in their music. Afrobeat is so spiritual. and most often. we speak in our mother tongue to connect with Africans and people of African descent all across the globe.
This music is now allowing Africans to fall back, fall in love with themselves, and be proud to be Africans. It is allowing African-Americans to want to come back home. Its allowing Afro-Caribbeans to come home and connect to their roots,” he added.
Fuse ODG further noted that despite the fact that Afrobeat has setbacks, it is allowing Black people to take ownership of their motherlands and also bring huge revenues to most African countries.