Nigeria: 'What Is Akon Saying?' Nigerians Slam Singer for Claiming Creation of Afrobeats – allAfrica.com

A man in a suit and tie speaks at a podium, with a red banner featuring an outline of Africa and text in the background, highlighting Nigeria’s influence on Afrobeats.

Senegalese-American singer Akon has stirred controversy online after stating that he played a major role in the rise of Afrobeats, the globally celebrated music genre that originated from West Africa.

While the artiste credits himself with shaping the early stages of Afrobeats through collaborations with Nigerian stars, many Nigerians aren’t having it.

In a recent interview with American talk show host and actress Sherri Shepherd, the ‘Smack That’ star reflected on his influence in the genre’s development, citing his work in the late…