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Veteran Nigerian music producer and executive, ID Cabasa, has pushed back against recent remarks made by Senegalese-American singer Akon, who claimed he played a foundational role in the rise of the Afrobeats genre.
In an interview shared on YouTube by Wazobia FM on Saturday, ID Cabasa reacted to Akon’s assertion that his collaborations with Nigerian artists and music executives between the late 2000s and early 2010s were instrumental in shaping Afrobeats as it is known today.
Cabasa acknowledged Akon’s involvement during that period, especially at a time when Afrobeats was still growing internationally. However, he insisted that Akon’s contribution does not equate to creating the genre.
The respected producer pointed out that Nigerian artists like 2Face, 9ice, and Timaya had already achieved considerable success and recognition before Akon’s notable collaborations with stars such as Wizkid and P-Square.
He also took issue with Akon’s previous statement that Wizkid was just a local act before signing to his label in 2008. Cabasa clarified that it was Banky W who first discovered and signed Wizkid to Empire Mates Entertainment, with Akon’s label only later forming a partnership for distribution.
Responding in Pidgin, Cabasa said:
“Akon for also tok say na he still discovered the likes of 2Face, Timaya, 9ice and Co. Na the people wey he roll with when he come Nigeria, wey tell am say, ‘I’m the biggest person around this place.’ So, he properly feels he pioneered business and branding sides of Afrobeats.
“Even the way wey he take dey tok about Wizkid, no be wettin the story be be that. We all know say na Banky W dem sign Wizkid. Yes, we collaborate with Akon in terms of distribution but e no mean say he go tok say na he create Afrobeats. Because Afrobeats no be wettin wey one person create, na culture.”
Cabasa’s comments have stirred discussions among fans and industry stakeholders, with many echoing his sentiment that Afrobeats is a collective cultural movement, not the product of any single individual.
Watch him speak below…
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