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‘You lack understanding of Afrobeats’ — ID Cabasa replies Buju Banton

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ID Cabasa, the Nigerian music producer, has dismissed the Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton’s deprecatory view of Afrobeats.

Last month, Banton, who is one of the well-regarded artistes in Jamaican music, described Afrobeats as a “shallow and unsubstantial music genre”.

The 51-year-old, born Mark Anthony Myrie, argued that despite its global recognition, the genre does not spotlight the struggles of Africa, unlike the politically charged and culturally rooted messages of Reggae and Dancehall.

In a chat with TheCable Lifestyle and Nigerian Guardian, Cabasa, 49, addressed Banton’s criticism of Afrobeats, suggesting the Jamaican “lacks understanding of the genre’s language and style”.

The music executive highlighted the genre’s depth and substance, citing the quality of music from artistes like Burna Boy, BNXN, Olamide, and Asake.

Cabasa, the founder of Coded Tunes, the record label that brought Olamide, 9ice, 2Shotz, Reminisce, Lord of Ajasa, Ajayi Brovas, 2Phat, Seriki and Banky W to the limelight, also taunted Banton, saying his disapproval might have stemmed from the fact he got carried away with the “genre’s beat”.

“Buju Banton does not understand… can he speak our language? No,” he said.

“You know, when you go online, Nigerians are the most sarcastic people in the world. So when you don’t understand our sarcasm, when you don’t understand how we tell our stories, you will think there’s no story to it.

“Now, these guys, they present truth in a very simple way now… and because your (Banton) own generation sang and you were saying so many things, you think you are deeper than them.

“For me, depth is actually your ability to understand what’s supposed to be complicated and to break it down.

“I think one Kenyan proverb said that ‘if it takes you so many words to explain something, probably you don’t understand it’.

“So, these guys, they say stuff. You listen to Burna, you listen to BNXN, that we call Buju. You listen to Olamide, you listen to Asake. Are you going to tell me that there’s no substance in what Asake is doing?

“So, a lot is coming in. That you don’t understand it doesn’t mean that you should just criticize it. I think he is falling in love so much with the beat, which was why he said what he said.

“But we know when people say there’s no substance to it, we know it’s a fallacy. There is substance to it but people need to understand what these guys are saying.”

Cabasa spoke on Thursday at the memorial lecture of Denis Joseph Slattery, the late cleric, in Lagos.

The Slattery memorial lecture was organised by the Old Boys’ Association of St. Finbarr’s College at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island. The music executive is a member of the association.

The memorial was attended by notable persons including Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River, ex-footballer Segun Odegbami, and actor Patrick Doyle.

Earlier this month, Tems, the Grammy winner, also stressed that Afrobeats is meant for “vibes and enjoyment”, adding that “the climate of Nigeria calls for it”.

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Plantashun Boiz attempted reunions failed because I wasn’t invited, says Blackface

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Blackface, the Nigerian dancehall singer, says Plantashun Boiz, a defunct music group, multiple attempts to reunite failed because he was not included.

Formed in 2000 with 2Baba and Faze, Plantashun Boiz disbanded in 2004 but briefly reunited in 2007 for an album.

In a recent episode of the ‘Curiosity Made Me Ask’ podcast, the host asked Blackface if there was any chance that the group might come back together.

The singer disclosed that his colleagues had attempted to reunite without him but were unsuccessful.

“Without me, they have tried and they have failed. Many times. You saw them in all those shows that they were going,” he said.

“They tried but they failed. But what I must say is I’m the plantation. So let it be known. Forget the fake memo that they spread before.”

In September, Blackface called for the reunion of the defunct music group.

He urged fans to join the mission, emphasising that “unity is strength, not division”.

“My people oya make una talk put mouth for this matter! We are on a mission for world peace and it’s not a small-time thing,” he said in pidgin English.

Since 2015, Blackface constantly tackled 2Baba for recording 2004 hit ‘African Queen’ which he claimed he wrote.

In 2017, he argued that 2Baba “sabotaged” his career in the music industry.

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Despite feud, Peter Okoye celebrates Paul on 43rd birthday

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Peter ‘Mr P’ Okoye, the Nigerian singer, has celebrated Paul ‘Rudeboy’ Okoye, his twin brother, on their 43rd birthday amid their ongoing feud.

The twin brothers have been in the public eyes since their second fallout in August.

They had their first rift in 2017 which led to the dissolution of Psquare, their music brand. Though they reunited in November 2021, their reconciliation was short-lived.

Paul recently revealed another fallout, accusing Peter of orchestrating his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Peter, however, denied the allegations and accused Jude Okoye, their older brother, of diverting millions of dollars from their joint account into a secret company.

Responding to the accusations, Jude said he had done everything possible, even “sacrificing himself,” to mend the rift between his brothers.

In an Instagram post on Monday, Peter shared several photos showcasing their growth over the years.

He also celebrated their birthday while wishing himself as well as his twin brother more wins.

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Tiwa Savage calls out Wizkid fan for bullying

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Wizkid’s group of fans collectively known as “Wizkid FC” are popular for their vehement support for Wizkid and their antagonism toward those considered his rivals.

Tiwa Savage is the latest artist to call out Wizkid FC for harassment after some members of the fanbase mocked her for releasing a song on the same day as Wizkid.

On November 15, 2024, Ruger released his new song ‘Toma Toma’ featuring Tiwa Savage which she shared on her Instagram page with the caption “Told yall this one is special. The @rugerofficial called and I answered”.

In response, a Wizkid fan said “Dey play, nothing special pass Wizzy hits”.

The reply rubbed off wrongly on Tiwa Savage who said “Because I am promoting music? WTF…y’all are not fans anymore ooo you guys are actual bullies”.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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