Nigerian music superstar Davido has added his voice to a growing chorus of African artists calling for a move away from the umbrella term “Afrobeats” to describe their music.
In a recent interview on the Business Untitled Podcast, Davido expressed frustration with the way the label “Afrobeats” lumps together such a wide range of musical styles. “The UK called all African music Afrobeats, but that term doesn’t do justice to the variety we have,” Davido said. “Imagine an artist singing pure R&B like SZA or Summerwalker, they get labeled Afrobeats. Even rappers going for a Drake vibe, they’re still Afrobeats. It doesn’t make sense.”
Davido clarifies that he doesn’t take offense to the Afrobeats label entirely, acknowledging the need for some kind of categorization. However, he argues for more specific terms. “We’ve got Afropop, Afrohouse, and for me, it’s Afrofusion,” he explained. “That reflects the blend of sounds I bring together in my music.”
Davido joins other Afrobeats giants like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Fireboy DML who have recently spoken out about the limitations of the Afrobeats label. This ongoing conversation highlights the desire of African artists to have their unique musical identities recognized on the global stage.
