- According to him, Afrobeats is moving back to an era where quality and originality take centre stage
- He said he could already sense the change and welcomed what he sees as a renewed emphasis on artistry
- Many music enthusiasts have praised this shift, describing it as a positive development
Popular Nigerian singer Joeboy has declared that Afrobeats is experiencing a revival, saying the genre is shedding what he described as diluted sounds and returning to its authentic roots.
The “Faji” hitmaker made the remarks during his sold-out Valentine’s Day concert in Lagos, where he paused mid-performance to reflect on the current direction of the industry, Eko Hot Blog reports.
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According to him, Afrobeats is moving back to an era where quality and originality take centre stage, leaving little room for what he termed gimmicks.
Joeboy expressed optimism that the focus is gradually shifting to music that connects through substance rather than trend-driven formulas.
He said he could already sense the change and welcomed what he sees as a renewed emphasis on artistry.
In the early 2020s, the Nigerian music scene witnessed extensive blending of Afrobeats with other styles, particularly South Africa’s Amapiano, as well as American hip-hop and R&B.
While the cross-genre collaborations expanded global reach, some critics argued that the heavy fusion watered down the core identity of Afrobeats.
By 2024, however, a number of Nigerian artists began steering back toward traditional Afrobeats rhythms and limiting the strong Amapiano influence in their productions.
Many music enthusiasts have praised this shift, describing it as a positive development, though some believe it may take time for the genre to fully reclaim its classic sound.
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