Nigerian singer Joeboy has declared that Afrobeats is undergoing a creative reset, shedding what he described as “adulterated” influences and reconnecting with its authentic roots.
The artiste made the remarks during his sold-out Valentine’s Day concert in Lagos, where he told an energetic crowd that the genre is currently experiencing what he termed a “purge.”
“Afrobeats right now is going through a purge. We are getting back to the times where real music is going to stay no more gimmicking and all of that,” he said.
Expressing optimism about the direction of the industry, Joeboy added,I can feel it already, and I am happy that we are getting back to those zones where the music speaks. I thank God for that.
His comments come amid ongoing debates about the evolution of Afrobeats, particularly the increasing fusion of the genre with global sounds such as pop, amapiano, and trap a trend some critics argue diluted its original identity.
However, supporters of the fusion movement maintain that experimentation has expanded Afrobeats’ global reach and commercial appeal.
Joeboy’s stance signals a growing conversation within the Nigerian music industry about authenticity, artistic integrity, and the future direction of one of Africa’s most influential cultural exports.