Nigerian singer Omah Lay has voiced concerns about the state of the Afrobeats genre, expressing fears that it is being diluted to appeal to international audiences and is becoming excessively commercialized.
In a recent appearance on the Zach Sang Show, the “Understand” hitmaker lamented that the genre, which has seen a rapid rise in global popularity, is no longer in safe hands.
He criticized the current trend among artistes in the Afrobeats industry, suggesting that the financial gain of the genre is leading musicians to prioritize profit over passion.
“There is too much money in Afrobeats. Afrobeats artists are just trying to grab the money,” Omah Lay remarked. “I believe people are messing Afrobeats up. I also believe it is becoming very commercial. Right now, I don’t believe Afrobeats is in safe hands.”
Omah Lay’s comments come amidst growing criticism of the genre.
Recently, Jamaican reggae legend Buju Banton sparked controversy by describing Afrobeats as “f*ckery,” claiming in an interview that the genre lacks substance and would eventually fade away.