5th May, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Popular Nigerian Afropop singer-songwriter, Yemi Alade has berated her colleagues who downplay the Afrobeats genre.
She said that while it is not wrong for artists to denounce Afrobeats especially if they feel it doesn’t define their art, it is hypocrisy for them to downplay the genre, adding that it has contributed to every Nigerian artist’s development.
On her X handle, the ‘Johnny’ crooner wrote: “I don’t see anything wrong in informing your listeners of the genre of music an artist makes especially when you feel it doesn’t define your art.
“Just Announce your Genre in peace. Downplaying the role Afrobeats has played in every artist’s development is hypocrisy.”
Alade’s social media outburst is coming against the backdrop of some Nigerian singers including Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy denouncing the Afrobeats genre.
They all claimed that they ditched the genre because all African artists boxed into Afrobeats regardless of their musical styles.
Alade is arguably one of the top female artists in the country. She gained fame with the release of ‘Johnny’, her 2014 single.
Yemi Alade is known for delivering her songs in English, Yoruba, and French languages. Her music which incorporates Afro; Highlife, Dancehall, Pop and R&B has been of influence in many African countries.
She won the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) for Best Female in 2015 and 2016.