Nigerian singer Rema has sparked a heated debate on the future of Afrobeats after sharing his thoughts on the impact of international collaborations on the genre.
In a viral video, 24-year-old Rema expressed his concerns that Afrobeats is being watered down and losing its originality.
According to Rema, the constant collaborations with international artists are diluting the sound and making it easier for others to recreate. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to take ownership and protect their sound, saying, "We gotta take our ish back, we gotta own it, we have to protect it."
Also, Rema explained that his latest song, Ozeba, is an example of a unique sound that cannot be easily replicated by others. Additionally, he stressed that if Nigerians continue to water down their music, it will become easy for songwriters and producers to continue the process. This is especially with beats becoming increasingly similar to those made overseas.
Meanwhile, the singer's comments have sparked a lively debate on social media, with some fans agreeing with his views and others disagreeing. While some appreciate Rema's efforts to preserve the originality of Afrobeats, others see international collaborations as a positive development for the genre.
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Though, as the debate rages on, one thing is certain - Rema's comments have ignited a crucial conversation about the future of Afrobeats. Also, it shows the need for Nigerians to take ownership of their sound.
