Popular Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, recently emphasized the need for Afrobeats to remain true to its Nigerian roots and its purpose for the Nigerian people.
Speaking on The Breakfast Club podcast, Tems shared her thoughts on the global rise of Afrobeats and its growing cultural influence.
In the interview, Tems expressed pride in the genre’s impressive expansion, stating that Afrobeats is more than just a fleeting trend. “Afrobeats is not a temporary trend but a movement,” she said, highlighting its increasing reach worldwide.
She also touched on the personal nature of the genre, noting how each artist’s experience shapes their music.
“Every artist talks about their life, what it means the most to them. It can be introspective or about what’s happening in the country, or even just what’s going on in their life. It all depends on the artist,” Tems explained.
Further emphasizing the essence of Afrobeats, she described how it is built around being danceable and uplifting, especially for Nigerians.
“The structure of Afrobeats is that it’s supposed to be danceable music. Nigerians love that because it helps them forget about their worries and enjoy life—that’s what Afrobeats gives,” she added.
Tems also highlighted the genre’s unique connection to African culture and how it is now influencing the global music scene.
She stressed that while Afrobeats is being embraced internationally, it is crucial to remember its origins and purpose for Nigerians. “There are different genres for different purposes. While you may listen to Afrobeats, you can also listen to R&B or reggae depending on the mood. But Afrobeats is about the originality from Nigeria, and it serves a particular purpose for the Nigerian people.”
She concluded by saying, “If you’re from outside and enjoy Afrobeats, you’re sharing in what the Nigerian people enjoy, because it’s originally from them.”
The Nigeria music sensation admitted that as the international audience continues to embrace African sounds and rhythms, Afrobeats will keep thriving, maintaining its authentic connection to Nigeria while spreading joy globally.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Jamaican dancehall icon, Buju Banton, expressed his views on the rise of Afrobeats.
He noted that while Afrobeats and Reggaeton, a popular Latin American genre, both draw inspiration from Reggae and Dancehall, they often fail to acknowledge their Caribbean roots adequately.
Banton criticized Afrobeats for distancing itself from Jamaican artists, despite its deep connections to Dancehall and Reggae.
He observed that while Afrobeats artists frequently collaborate with musicians from other continents, they rarely work with their Jamaican counterparts, who have played a significant role in shaping the genre.
Tems has garnered numerous honours over her career, such as a Grammy Award, a Billboard Women in Music Award, four NAACP Image Awards, four BET Awards, and three Soul Train Music Awards.
