Afrobeats, the genre that was once on top of the world, is facing some challenges, according to talent manager Paul Okoye, also known as PaulO. He recently shared on social media that “things are falling apart for Afrobeats,” and this downturn is affecting artists who were doing better just three years ago.
It’s interesting to note that Afrobeats, an umbrella term for popular music from West Africa and the diaspora, has experienced significant growth and international recognition since the late 2010s . The genre has been praised for its unique fusion of sounds, including highlife, jùjú music, azonto music, and naija beats.
However, some critics argue that the term “Afrobeats” is often misused to describe all African music, erasing the diversity of local musical contributions . Others, like Burna Boy, prefer not to be categorized under the Afrobeats label.
Despite these challenges, Afrobeats remains a vital part of African music, with artists like Wizkid, Davido, and Tiwa Savage continuing to push the genre forward.
