Wizkid, the Grammy award-winning Nigerian artist, recently sparked controversy by rejecting the label of an Afrobeats artist. Amid heavy criticism, he clarified his stance, explaining that he refuses to be confined to a single genre due to his diverse musical output.
In a social media post, he emphasized his versatility, stating that he creates "all sorts of music" and does not want to be pigeonholed into the Afrobeats category.
Wizkid highlighted the limitations imposed by the Afrobeats label, suggesting that it oversimplifies the rich tapestry of African music. He argued against the notion that African artists should be exclusively associated with Afrobeats, likening it to assuming all American artists solely produce rap music.
Wizkid emphasized his commitment to exploring various genres and crafting authentic music, as demonstrated in his album "Made in Lagos," which he described as a fusion of different sounds. He criticized the term "Afrobeats," attributing its creation to a desire to categorize African music under a single umbrella.
Referring to the genre pioneered by Fela Kuti as Afrobeat, Wizkid underscored his willingness to experiment and evolve as an artist. Ultimately, he asserted his identity as an artist above any genre label and encouraged others to embrace diversity in music.
