The origin story of Afrobeats, the genre that's got the globe grooving, just got a whole lot more interesting – and a little bit contentious! Senegalese-American superstar Akon recently suggested he played a pivotal role in birthing the genre through his collaborations with Nigerian artists back in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Bold claim, right? Well, Nigerian music industry icon and veteran producer ID Cabasa isn't having any of it, and he's not holding back.
During a recent appearance on Wazobia FM, ID Cabasa, a name synonymous with the growth and evolution of Nigerian music, firmly challenged Akon's narrative. While acknowledging that Akon did indeed team up with Nigerian artists during the genre's formative years – before it exploded onto the global stage – Cabasa was quick to emphasize that Akon's involvement came after a significant foundation had already been laid by a wave of talented Nigerian musicians.
"Akon cannot claim credit for the creation of Afrobeats," Cabasa stated emphatically. He pointed out that the groundwork for the global phenomenon was already being meticulously crafted by homegrown talent long before Akon's collaborations. "Before Akon started working with the likes of Wizkid and P-Square, artists like 2Face, 9ice, and Timaya were already making waves. They were gaining recognition and setting the stage for what became Afrobeats," Cabasa explained, highlighting the crucial contributions of these Nigerian pioneers.
Cabasa didn't stop there. He also addressed Akon's assertion that he "discovered" and signed Wizkid back in 2008. With a touch of correction, Cabasa clarified that it was actually the incredibly influential Banky W who first recognized Wizkid's immense talent and signed him to Empire Mates Entertainment (EME). While Akon's label later entered into a distribution partnership with EME, it wasn't a case of Akon "grooming" Wizkid from the ground up, as Akon had implied.
Switching partly to Pidgin English for emphasis, Cabasa drove his point home with relatable clarity: "If Akon dey claim say na him create Afrobeats, then he for also talk say na him discover 2Face, 9ice, Timaya and others. Na people wey he jam when he come Nigeria tell am say ‘I’m the biggest artist here,’ and from there he enter the scene. But that no mean say na him start the whole thing."
Cabasa further elaborated on the nature of their collaboration, stating, "We collaborated with Akon on distribution, yes, but that doesn’t translate to him being the creator of Afrobeats. Afrobeats no be wetin one person create — it’s a culture, a movement built by many over time." This powerful statement underscores the collective effort and the deep cultural roots that define Afrobeats. It's not the brainchild of a single individual, no matter how globally recognized they are.
ID Cabasa's remarks inject a crucial dose of perspective into the ongoing conversation surrounding the origins of Afrobeats. He powerfully reinforces the idea that the genre's meteoric rise is a testament to the collective talent, creativity, and cultural richness emanating from Nigeria. It's a movement built brick by sonic brick by a community of artists, producers, and fans, long before the international spotlight fully shone upon it.
This isn't about diminishing Akon's contributions to the global music landscape or his collaborations with Nigerian artists. Instead, it's about ensuring that the true narrative of Afrobeats' genesis is accurately told, acknowledging the foundational work of the Nigerian artists who paved the way for its worldwide success.
What are your thoughts on this? Who do you credit as the key figures in the rise of Afrobeats? Let's delve into the rich history and the vibrant present of this incredible genre in the comments below!
