Jamaican dancehall and reggae singer, Buju Banton has recently made headlines in the media following comments he made about Africa’s current most popular music genre-Afrobeat. In a recent episode of “Drink Champs” with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, the music icon acknowledged the fact that Afrobeat has gained popularity in recent times.
However, he raised several concerns. First, Buju complained about the content of the songs being produced by the new crop of musicians in Africa. According to him, apart from Fella Kuti, Salif Keita, Youssou Ndour and few others, the content of modern era African music lacks the required motivation to aid in Africa’s struggle for liberation. “We hear our African brothers and sisters doing music that we can identify with, but we’re not hearing nothing to free Africa, to free the mind of African [people]. We are concerned,” he said.
Speaking about the relevance of ‘brotherly advice’ Buju added that, “if we are in Jamaica, and we’re singing about sexuality and violence and they can say to us, ‘My brothers in Jamaica, we remember when you used to speak to us from your heart. Now you’re speaking to us from your lips. And we have to pull ourselves up from the bootstrap’… Then, we must be able to speak to our brothers across the pond and say, ‘My brothers, if we’re lacking, pull us up.’”
Monitored reactions came from diverse perspectives. Some Pan-Africans agree on the fact that Afrobeats musician need start recording more socially conscious songs that address that part of Africa’s society. However, others argued that the continent still has few conscious musicians, the likes of Salif Keita, Youssou Ndour, Omar Penn etc who keep singing uplifting songs and that Afrobeats is rightly playing its own role in elevating Africa through cultural export.
Buju’s claimed that Afrobeats is not inspiring has been critique by some music enthusiasts who argued that even though the current focus seems to be skewed towards entertainment, the far-reaching effects of Afrobeat has contributed significantly to the rate at which diaspora-based Africans are embracing and re-connecting with their roots. This is true because Afrobeats has done a lot in rebranding Africa’s image which has been negatively portrayed by western media for years.
In his second concern, Buju claimed that Afrobeat musicians are not connecting with their Jamaican counterparts; however, this was met with criticisms. Pan-African panelists have outlined several scenarios clearly defining a cordial relationship between Jamaica and African musicians.
Some have strongly argued that Reggae music has been largely embraced in Africa because we identify with it. Senegalese musician, Youssou Ndour for instance did a whole album in celebration of Bob Marley.
Additionally, many Afrobeat artists, the likes of Shatta Wale, Sonebwoy, Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy etc have collaborated and are still collaborating with Jamaican musicians, from upcoming musicians to the big names in the Jamaican dancehall industry.
Another example is Burna Boy’s recent visit to Sizzla’s Judgment yard in appreciation of his musical dedication towards Africa. These and many other efforts have built a bond between the two families.
Some Media reports credited Buju for acknowledging Africa as the root of black music where Reggae can be traced and equally refuting claims by other Jamaican Artistes that Afrobeat musicians are culture-vultures. What is your take on his comments?
