In a recent statement, Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavor in the Nigerian music industry has reaffirmed Jamaican reggae legend Buju Banton’s assertion that Afrobeats singers as ‘lazy’.
Known for his diverse musical talents and contributions to the African music scene, Flavour expressed his concern that many current Afrobeats artists rely too heavily on repetitive beats and catchy hooks, rather than focusing on lyrical depth and musical innovation by urging his peers to push beyond creative boundaries and prioritize the quality of their music.
He made these pronouncements when he was featured on a recent episode of the ‘In My Opinion’ podcast platform, where he said “Banton was on point” by adding Afrobeats lacks depth because its artistes are lazy.
“I understand what Buju Banton is trying to say, because kids of today don’t want stress; they just want to vibe,” he bemoaned. “Maybe Buju Banton is trying to awaken our spirit.”
He therefore noted his music style is rooted in highlife, a distinct genre from Afrobeats by expressing his disapproval of the Western media’s tendency to categorise all African artistes under the Afrobeats umbrella, highlighting the need for greater recognition and respect for the diversity of African music genres.