Wizkid explains why he doesn’t want to identify as an Afrobeats artiste

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Earlier, Nigerian singer-songwriter, Wizkid whose real name is Ayodeji Balogun stated that he does not identify as an Afrobeats musician.

The sensational musician has since received criticism from his fans across the globe for demeaning the foremost music genre.

Speaking via his Instagram account, the singer-songwriter explained why he preferred not to identify as an Afrobeats musician.

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Wizkid noted that because of the Afrobeats tag, African artists are always boxed in “one Africa category or the other.”

On his Instagram story, Wizkid wrote: “U lost people always want someone to educate you. U got your phone Google research sh*t or take a flight and see the world don’t be ignorant and stupid all the time.

“Listen, am I African? Yes! But I do make all sorts of music. Fine music! But I don’t want these labeled just afrobeats. That’s like saying every American artist makes rap. That’s stupid. This is why no matter how good or amazing the music we make be it RnB or whatever other genre, we all get nominated in one Africa category or the other.

I’ve made songs from different genres of music. Made in Lagos is not an ‘Afrobeats’ album. That’s a fusion of different sounds. Real music!

The word Afrobeats was made up by y’all to put all we make into one box.

Fela created Afrobeat!! I make All sorts of music. Fusion of sounds! ‘I’m an artiste’ before anything else. True to my art. Not scared to try shit. Now y’all drink some milk!”