Nigerian highlife artist Chinedu Okoli, better known as Flavour, has voiced support for Jamaican reggae legend Buju Banton’s critique of the Afrobeats genre.
Banton caused a stir by labeling Afrobeats as “f*ckery,” asserting that the genre lacks substance and is destined to fade.
In a recent episode of the ‘In My Opinion’ podcast, Flavour endorsed Banton’s viewpoint. He explained that Afrobeats’ perceived lack of depth is due to the complacency of its artists.
“I understand what Buju Banton is trying to say. Kids of today [present crop of Afrobeats artists] don’t want stress; they just want to vibe,” Flavour remarked. “Maybe Buju Banton is trying to awaken our spirit.”
Flavour also clarified his position on the genre, emphasizing that he identifies as a highlife artist rather than an Afrobeats artist. He criticized the tendency of Western media to categorize all African artists under the Afrobeats label.
