Omah Lay has expressed concerns that Afrobeats is not in “safe hands,” arguing that its direction is converging with hip-hop as top artists prioritize mass appeal over authenticity. This presents a dilemma: on the one hand, Afrobeats artists must fight cultural appropriation and gentrification, while on the other, they aim to export their music to the world. This tension reflects a broader reality for African artists and cultural producers who seek global reach without compromising the integrity of their work.
A conscious effort must be…
