American rapper Desiigner has sparked intense debate with his new single ‘Shyio’, which combines Afrobeats percussions with catchy melodies, marking a significant departure from his usual style.
The Brooklyn-born artist, known for his hit chart-topping single ‘Panda’, has ventured into uncharted territory by singing in pidgin English with his American accent, contributing to the growing global spread of Nigerian music.
Released on September 6, ‘Shyio’ showcases Desiigner’s attempt to give his fans a new sound while retaining the passion and striking melodies that define his music.
However, the single has reignited conversations about the globalization of Afrobeats and its potential exploitation by foreign creatives.
Desiigner’s effort comes on the heels of Usher and Chris Brown’s nominations in Afrobeats categories at the VMAs, fueling concerns about the need for gatekeeping to preserve the genre’s identity.
While some argue that ‘Shyio’ is evidence of Afrobeats’ growing global appeal, others see it as another instance of foreign artists capitalizing on the genre’s success without proper understanding or credit.
