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 with the exception of 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 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.
