Afrobeats currently going through purge, returning to real music – Joeboy
Nigerian Singer Joeboy Declares Renaissance in Afrobeats Genre
LAGOS — Popular Nigerian singer Joeboy believes that the Afrobeats genre is currently experiencing a renaissance. During his sold-out Valentine’s Day performance in Lagos, Joeboy stressed that the genre is moving away from “adulterated music.”
In his remarks to the audience, the artist highlighted a shift back to “real music,” asserting that “wack music no longer has a place in the genre.”
“Afrobeats is going through a purge right now,” Joeboy stated. “We are returning to the times when authentic music prevails — no more gimmicks involved. I can feel this change already, and I am pleased that we are heading back to an era where the music has meaning.”
The beginning of the 2020s saw significant experimentation within the Nigerian music industry, with many artists merging Afrobeats with other international genres, particularly South Africa’s Amapiano and American hip-hop and R&B. Critics argued that such fusions diluted the essence of traditional Afrobeats.
However, in 2024, a wave of Nigerian artists began to revive “real Afrobeats,” reducing the incorporation of Amapiano influences in their music.
This movement has been welcomed by many music enthusiasts, who acknowledge that while progress is being made, it may take time for Afrobeats to regain its original rhythm.
