Why Afrobeats artistes shouldn’t stick to what fans like – Rema

Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema has cautioned that if Afrobeats artists limit themselves to producing music that only caters to fans' preferences, the genre will not evolve. During his recent concert, Rema declared his intention to create music based on his own tastes and not those of his listeners. He proclaimed himself to be "the Prince of Afrobeats" and stressed that if fellow artists continue to make music solely for the liking of Afrobeats fans, the genre will not progress.

"I don’t care what you say about me. I don’t care if you like what I like. But I make music that I like before you like it. If I stick to what you like, Afrobeats is not going to move forward," Rema warned. This statement comes at a time when social media users have been protesting the increasing incorporation of other sounds and genres into Afrobeats music, as artists attempt to attract international audiences.

Although this trend has drawn criticism from traditional Afrobeats fans, it appears that many Afrobeats artists persist in creating music infused with foreign influences.