Wizkid Rejects Afrobeats Label for His Music

Wizkid, the artist behind the hit 'Essence,' has caused quite a stir online with his recent comments. In a resurfaced clip from his 2023 Apple Music interview while promoting his album More Love, Less Ego, Wizkid expressed his frustration with being labeled solely as an Afrobeats artist. He exclaimed, "I am not a f*cking Afrobeats artiste," and advised those who associate him strictly with Afrobeats not to download his album.

Wizkid, identifying as African but not wanting to be confined to one genre, stated, "I do make all sorts of music. I don’t want to be labeled just Afrobeats." This sentiment echoes that of another artist, Lil Yachty, who has branched into rock music with his album Let’s Start Here. However, Wizkid's assertion has divided opinions online, sparking a widespread debate. His supporters agree that an artist shouldn't be pigeonholed based on their background, while others seem disgruntled, emphasizing the significance of Afrobeats in his career.

Twitter users have shared mixed responses, some acknowledging Wizkid's versatility and right to define his artistic identity, while others are criticizing him for distancing himself from the Afrobeats genre which contributed to his rise.

Amidst the divide, Wizkid stands firm in his wish to avoid any restrictive labels, pushing the boundaries of his music beyond the Afrobeats classification. It remains to be seen how this will impact his career and the evolving perception of African artists in the global music scene.

Wizkid, Afrobeats, Controversy