A video sighted by GhanaStreetJournal on the Instagram account of Afrobeats artist Fuse ODG captures his response to comments made by Jamaican legend Buju Banton.
Buju Banton sparked a significant online conversation after voicing his critical views on Afrobeats, expressing that the genre lacks inspiration and fails to positively impact individuals across Africa.
During his appearance on the show Drink Champs, which aired on Saturday, August 10, he discussed with hosts N.O.R.E and DJ EFN his inability to find any Afrobeats song that genuinely uplifts its listeners.
“Tell me one Afrobeats song that can uplift us,” Buju said said. “Kenya is suffering; young men in Kenya are revolting. South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan—everywhere is struggling. But which of these Afrobeats songs can relate to me for a peace of mind, to tell me that we are in the struggle, and even though it’s hard, we will overcome? Tell me.”
“I am not knocking anybody but you don’t give us no respect motherfuckers, and you still expect us to act like we take something from you? This is the King’s music. Your music will come and go because it has nothing to o with soul and building energy. Our music is time marker.”
In contrast, Fuse ODG disagreed, pointing to his own tracks that embody uplifting themes.
In a selfie video recorded from his car, Fuse emphasized that Afrobeats is a revolutionary genre, incorporating elements from various styles such as Reggae, Soul, and Hip Hop, thus containing the uplifting qualities that Buju Banton questioned.
He also highlighted the conscious nature of Afrobeats and its role in encouraging African Americans and others in the diaspora to reconnect with their heritage, significantly benefiting Ghana’s economy during the Year of Return initiative he launched in collaboration with the Ghanaian government.
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