Veteran rapper Ruggedman has expressed his disagreement with the classification of African music under the umbrella term "Afrobeats". According to him, this genre is not a legitimate classification but rather a name that talentless Nigerians hide behind. He believes that Afrobeats is a misnomer that emerged from a desire to give a name to a style of music that Nigerians love, but it has been misused to categorize every African music under one label. Ruggedman's views on the matter have been met with accusations of jealousy and gatekeeping in the past. However, he remains steadfast in his opinion that Afrobeats is not a genuine genre.

The rapper also made a point about the production quality of Afrobeats music, suggesting that many artists rely heavily on autotune to enhance their vocals. He noted that only a few Afrobeats artists can sing without the aid of autotune, which is why they often shy away from freestyling and live performances with bands.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

Ruggedman's scathing critique of Afrobeats highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of African music. The rapper's assertion that Afrobeats is a name talentless Nigerians hide behind raises questions about the quality and authenticity of the music being produced under this label. The fact that many Afrobeats artists rely on autotune and avoid live performances with bands is a telling indictment of the genre's emphasis on superficiality over substance. For everyday Nigerians, this means that the music they consume is often lacking in depth and originality, reinforcing the notion that Afrobeats is more about style than substance. The music industry would do well to take Ruggedman's criticisms seriously and strive for greater authenticity in the music being produced.