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Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti has added his voice to the ongoing discussion around Afrobeats, asserting that the contemporary term does not represent a distinct musical genre.
In a recent interview on Beat FM, the son of the legendary Fela Kuti explained that what is popularly called Afrobeats is more of a broad label for music originating from Africa rather than a clearly defined genre.
“I think Afrobeats is more of a title than it is a genre. More of a title than a genre. You can see Amapiano. Yes, you can see the new Afrobeats. It is the new title of that. It is the new thing in Afrobeats,” Seun said.
He further clarified, “So, Afrobeats is just a generalisation, just a title to identify something from a particular place. I do not think it is a genre.”
Seun also highlighted the flexibility Nigerian music executives give artists under the Afrobeats banner, allowing them creative freedom without restricting them to a specific sound.
“Even the gatekeepers, the big names, do not deal with it like a genre. They do not gatekeep it like a genre. They do not work it like a genre. Their artistes are eclectic in the way that they could do a Dancehall track today, do a Blues track tomorrow, do a Nigerian pop song and jump on amapiano,” he added.
Rapper Vector, who appeared alongside Seun on the show, offered a slightly different perspective. He suggested that Afrobeats could eventually be defined as a genre if its musical elements were carefully documented and analysed, much like Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat.
“Because our musicians do not break down what exactly is going on. I personally believe the Afrobeats narration as a genre cannot be defined. In my head, I still believe there is genius in there somewhere,” Vector said.
He added, “The way I would analyse Fela’s music is that it was properly documented. If it is done properly now, we might be able to find a definition as a sound that retains its original idea, even though it has a different approach.”
Watch him speak below…
"I think Afrobeats is more of a title than a genre... I don't think it's a genre." - Seun Kuti 📹 youtube.com/@thebeat999fm
Posted by OnejoblessBoy on Monday, September 8, 2025
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