Afrobeat is a genre on a world tour but can it get an influencer in P Diddy is a question on music lovers today.
Sean Combs aka P Diddy is a genius in both music and business. The American rapper is top of the wealthiest music artists in the world according to Forbes magazine.
In a recent chat with Nigerian music queen, Tiwa Savage, the music and businessman said he would bring American music stars to Nigeria. This, however, has led to comments by music lovers worldwide.
Afrobeat on the World Map
The legendary Fela-Anikulapo-Kuti is known for this music genre called ‘Afrobeat’. ‘Abami Eda’ as Fela is fondly called used his songs to pass messages to African governments as well as addressing social matters through this genre.
Although, the legacy laid by Fela still lives on, few artistes have only spoken his mind these days but the genre has gone throughout the world in recent time.
Fela’s sons, Femi & Seun Kuti has continued in their father’s path and has earned them few Grammy Award nominations as well as tours in parts of the world. New school artists such as Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Rema and so on have made sure Afrobeat reached the world even though their message is different from that of the originator.
Talking about those who pushed the genre to the world, Wizkid has done more to push the genre as his ‘Ojuelegba’ song is one of the most streamed music worldwide and it is a sample of Afrobeat. Burna Boy got a nomination in the 2019 Grammy Award as his Afrobeat-themed ‘African Giant’ album make raves worldwide.
Rema hits the spotlight too as his song titled ‘Iron Man’, another piece of Afrobeat made President Barrack Obama summer playlist of 2019.
Many other African and Nigerian artists have been heard worldwide thereby making Afrobeat to be sought for globally. Despite this, much still has to be done to make it a force worldwide. How about having a category for Afrobeat in world music awards? Well, we are getting there.
P Diddy and Afrobeat
P Diddy is seen as a lover of Nigerian music. Nigerian music star has been seen hanging out with the American hip-hop star in the past.
The American star was seen jamming to sounds by Nigerian music stars recently on his Instagram live. Sean Combs danced to Davido’s ‘fall‘ , grooved with Burna Boy as they both danced to his new song ‘Odogwu’, while he also had time to chat with Tiwa Savage.
When asked by Tiwa Savage when he will be coming to Nigeria, he said he will be bringing with him other stars to Nigeria as he expressed his love for Nigerian music. He also rocked another Afrobeat song by Tiwa Savage with his crew live on Instagram.
If this happened as he has said, many have tipped Afrobeat to get more global recognition because of Diddy’s influence while others see it from another direction.
Can P Diddy Influence Afrobeat?
This is the question on the lips of critics and music lovers. P Diddy bringing music stars and collaborating with Nigerian artists means a lot to the fans.
Many have argued the American star is out to make more money for himself. It is seen as a selfish ambition by some quarters because he hasn’t influenced any artist on his Bad Boy Records not to talk of a music genre.
Others have said the brand P Diddy would go a long way in stabilizing Afrobeat to the world. As a business and music guru, he can serve as an influencer and help push Fela’s brand more to the world.
Although, Afrobeat is quite popular among Black Americans in which P Diddy belongs. Sooner than later, it will become a force to be reckoned with as a result of the inputs of new school artists such as Rema, Fireboy, Joeboy and other upcoming acts. We cannot but wait to see the Nigerian flag been lifted higher in the music industry.
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