Your statement about Afrobeat faulty, bad – Bankulli slams Paulo Okoye
Grammy-Nominated Artist Bankulli Responds to Criticism of Afrobeat
Grammy-nominated singer and music executive Abisagboola Oluseun Yeezuz, known as Bankulli, has publicly addressed comments made by celebrity show promoter Paulo Okoye regarding the state of the Afrobeat genre.
In a recent post on Instagram, Okoye expressed concerns about rising fees for Afrobeat artists, suggesting that the genre is experiencing a decline. He wrote, “AfroBeat Is Dead Or Coma 2026. We need to ask ourselves one honest question: Is Afrobeats slowing down, or are we creating a problem for ourselves?” He further noted that increasing costs have made it challenging for promoters and corporate brands to book artists.
Bankulli responded to Okoye’s remarks with his own lengthy Instagram statement, labeling the claims as “faulty.” He suggested that Okoye’s comments stem from his own inability to afford top artists, stating, “Nothing is dying as far as we know; they are all buying new cars, building and buying new houses up and down.”
To substantiate his rebuttal, Bankulli shared clips from recent shows he has performed at, emphasizing that the Afrobeat genre remains vibrant. “In my opinion, such a statement is faulty,” he wrote. “None of both Genres is dead or in Coma as you think. They are doing good.”
He added, “If some artists have overpriced themselves, it’s fine; there are others very good with solid fan bases to fill the good space.” Bankulli concluded by suggesting that the evolving landscape of artist pricing reflects a shift rather than a decline in the genre’s popularity.
