Reggae legend Buju Banton does not believe Afrobeats music has any substance that impacts positively the lives of Africans.
To him, reggae music instead advocates for the disenfranchised members of society.
He appeared on a recent episode of a podcast named Drink champs where he weighed in on the matter.
He recalled visiting several African countries observing that music is not a ridge
"It fu**ery. Music needs to free Africa. " dismissing the lack of words, and power." They don't sing a song to free Africa. " Insisting this is why reggae music continues its dominance.
He challenges the hosts to name one Afrobeat song that uplifts Africans
“Tell me one Afrobeats song that can uplift us,” he 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, and that were gonna be better in the struggle, and that even though the struggle is hard, we are gonna overcome! Tel me.”
Clarifying his comments to the hosts, N.O.R.E and DJ EFN Banton said
"I was happy to see when they came to their senses to realize that's music is the bridge that's gonna connect us , but what I was disappointed in - they didn't try and connect with Jamaica, the roots. They connected with everyone else except us. "
Adding hat Afrobeats is not freeing Africa, the singer continued
"The music needs to free Africa . If I am all the way in Jamaica and my country and my people fight to free your continent with word, sound and power, and you have the ability now, and all your singing is - Expletive- you don't sing a song to free Africa now" he argued.
He lamented that artistes are yet to sing songs that will aid in the freedom of Africa
"You want the money? Go get it. What's gonna be aid of you later on? and your posterity? You didn't make any impact? So reggae music is still the kings music" he noted.
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