Jamaican Icon Buju Banton Accuses Afrobeats Artists Of Exploiting Reggae Without Acknowledgment

Jamaican dancehall legend Buju Banton has voiced strong criticism towards Afrobeats artists, accusing them of borrowing heavily from Jamaican reggae and dancehall without giving proper credit.

During an appearance on the ‘Drink Champs’ podcast, co-hosted by N.O.R.E and DJ EFN, Banton argued that Afrobeat’s music lacks substance and will eventually fade away. He also criticized the genre’s artists for using their platform primarily for personal gain rather than advocating for the liberation of the African continent.

“A lot of culture vultures out there. They’ve focused on our music so hard and stolen our culture. I’m not knocking nobody but they don’t give us no respect. And you still expect us to act like we take something from you? This [reggae] is the King’s music. Your music [Afrobeats] shall come and go because it has nothing to do with soul, building energy,” Banton stated. “Our music is a time marker. You can remember when you went on your first date, when you got married, when you are happy and when you are sad. Because it’s the King’s music.”

Banton recalled his trip to Africa in 1991, where he spent three weeks educating people from Ghana and across the continent about reggae and dancehall music.

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“I was happy when they came to their senses to realize that music is the bridge that’s going to connect us. But I was disappointed because they didn’t try to connect with Jamaica, the root. They connected with everyone else except us. I’m talking about Afrobeats [artists].”

He further criticized Afrobeats for not contributing to Africa’s liberation, stating, “When you look at what they’re doing, their music is not freeing Africa. It’s fuckery. They are supposed to use their music to preach freedom but what they’re singing is fuckery. We desire more from them. If you want the money, go get it. But what’s going to be said about you later on and your posterity? You didn’t make any impact. So reggae music still stands predominant. It’s still the King’s music.”