BNXN Fires Back at Fat Joe Over Afrobeats Origin Claim
Nigerian singer BNXN has responded sharply to comments made by American rapper Fat Joe regarding the origin of Afrobeats and his former stage name.
The controversy began after Fat Joe, during a recent podcast appearance, suggested that Afrobeats has roots in Jamaican music. He also claimed that BNXN changed his previous name, Buju, because of Jamaican dancehall legend Buju Banton.
Reacting to the statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, BNXN dismissed the claims and described them as inaccurate. The singer urged Fat Joe to properly educate himself about African music and its history before making such public comments.
BNXN made it clear that Afrobeats is deeply rooted in African culture and should not be wrongly attributed to other regions. His reaction reflects ongoing efforts by African artists to protect the identity and originality of the genre on the global stage.
The singer also addressed the claim about his former name, rejecting the idea that it was influenced by Buju Banton. BNXN, who rebranded from Buju to his current name, has previously explained that the change was part of his personal and artistic growth.
In his response, BNXN used strong words to express his frustration, accusing the American rapper of spreading misinformation and showing a lack of understanding of African music and its artists.
The exchange has since sparked conversations online, with fans and industry observers weighing in on the importance of correctly representing Afrobeats and its origins. Many supporters backed BNXN, emphasizing the need to give proper credit to African creators who built the genre.
Afrobeats continues to gain global recognition, and debates like this highlight the growing need for accurate narratives around its history and cultural significance. As the genre expands worldwide, artists remain vocal about preserving its roots and identity.
