- ID Cabasa stated that Buju Banton lacks understanding of Afrobeat’s language and style.
- Banton had described Afrobeats as a “shallow and unsubstantial music genre,” arguing that it doesn’t show the struggles of Africa.
Veteran music producer ID Cabasa has shared his perspective on Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton’s recent criticism of Afrobeats.
Banton had described Afrobeats as “shallow and unsubstantial” despite its global recognition.
Speaking with journalists at the memorial lecture of the late cleric, Denis Joseph Slattery, in Lagos on Thursday, ID Cabasa suggested that Banton’s negative views stem from a lack of understanding of the genre’s language and style.
He emphasized that cultural and linguistic nuances can make Afrobeats difficult to fully appreciate for those outside its cultural context.
ID Cabasa pointed out that Nigerians’ sarcastic humor and storytelling methods may be misinterpreted as lacking substance.
He cited artists like Burna Boy, BNXN (Buju), Olamide, and Asake as examples of Afrobeats singers conveying meaningful messages through their music.
ID Cabasa encouraged critics like Banton to reserve judgment, recognizing that unfamiliarity with the genre does not justify dismissive criticism.
In his words:
“Buju Banton does not understand the genre. Can he speak our language? No.
“When you go online, Nigerians are the most sarcastic people in the world. So when you don’t understand our sarcasm and how we tell our stories, you will think there is no story to it.
“Now, these guys present the truth in a very simple way. And because your (Banton) own generation sang and you were saying so many things, you think you are deeper than them.
“So, these guys, they say stuff. You listen to Burna, BNXN, that we call Buju. You listen to Olamide and Asake. Are you going to tell me that there’s no substance in what Asake is doing?
“That you don’t understand a lot doesn’t mean that you should just criticise it. I think he is falling so much in love with the beat, which was why he said what he said.”