Nigerian music star Joeboy has declared that Afrobeats is experiencing a creative renaissance, stating that the genre is shedding what he described as “adulterated” sounds and returning to its authentic roots.
The singer made the remarks midway through his sold-out Valentine’s Day concert in Lagos, where he addressed fans during his performance. The “Faji” crooner said he believes the genre is entering a new phase marked by substance over gimmicks.
“Afrobeats right now is going through a purge. We are getting back to the times where real music is going to stay — no more gimmicking and all of that,” he told the audience, adding that he could already sense the shift within the industry.
According to Joeboy, the renewed focus on quality and authenticity signals a positive direction for the genre, which has grown into a global cultural force over the past decade.
At the start of the 2020s, Nigeria’s music scene saw a wave of experimentation, with Afrobeats increasingly blending with other styles such as South Africa’s Amapiano, American hip-hop and R&B. While the cross-genre collaborations helped expand the music’s international appeal, critics argued that excessive fusion risked diluting the genre’s core identity.
Calls for a return to “original Afrobeats” grew louder, with some industry watchers insisting that global ambitions had led to over-commercialisation and stylistic drift.
Observers note that by 2024, several Nigerian artists began pivoting back toward traditional Afrobeats rhythms and themes, reducing heavy Amapiano influences in their productions. Many music enthusiasts have welcomed the development, though some caution that restoring the genre’s foundational sound will take time.
Joeboy’s comments add to the ongoing debate about the future direction of Afrobeats, as artists balance innovation with cultural preservation in one of Africa’s most influential creative exports.