“Afrobeats Label May Fade Away Soon”- Ruggedman

Although the terms “Afrobeat” and “Afrobeats” are often used interchangeably, some argue they are distinct: Afrobeat, pioneered by Fela Kuti, is a revolutionary, instrumental genre, whereas Afrobeats refers to the contemporary, commercially oriented African pop sound.

On the topic of rap, Ruggedman commented, “Rap seems to have taken a backseat because many are focused on quick money.” He explained that fewer artists are producing rap, in part because promoting and marketing it demands more resources than Afrobeats.

During the interview, Ruggedman also criticized the Nigerian music distribution system, questioning why the industry frequently relies on foreign validation.

He further challenged the practice of labeling legendary Nigerian musicians such as Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and Kwam1 under the Afrobeats banner. “I wish they had simply stuck with calling it Nigerian music,” he concluded.