The popular music star, Wizkid, has recently been announcing on his Instagram page that he’s more than just an afrobeat artiste – that he is not a one-sound styled artiste..

Meanwhile, Wizkid has joined the increasing list of prominent Nigerian artistes that are obviously disconnecting themselves from the identity of being called ‘just Afrobeats artiste’.

Afrobeats as a genre of music has progressively attained global attention and acceptance over the past few years and it has showcased Nigerian talents on the biggest global stages and entertainment industry –  but despite this, Wizkid has recently been announcing on his Instagram page that he is more than an Afrobeats artsite.

Upon the announcement on his intagram page that his next album, Morayo, has been ready, as at Friday, March 15, 2024 –  he then subsequently uploaded series of posts including “I am not a fucking Afrobeats artiste! I’m not Afro anything!”

Many critics have gone online to describe the rant as a tactic that wizkid is utilizing to promote his album – and they have condemned the act because it could cause damage that can affect further advancement of Afrobeats, but the despite the criticism, Wizkid didn’t relent on his rant.

On Saturday, March 16, 2024, Wizkid still went online to make a lengthy post explicating why he should not be referred to as ‘just an Afrobeats artiste’.

Three reasons Wizkid has asserted on why he should not be called or regarded as just an Afrobeats artiste’.

1. He makes other kinds of music

Wizkid wrote: “Listen, am I an African? Yes! But I do make all sorts of music. Fine music! But I don’t want these labelled just Afrobeats. That’s like saying every American artiste makes rap. That’s stupid.”

He also added: ” ‘Made in Lagos’ is not an Afrobeats album, that’s a fusion of different sounds. Real music!”

2. The effect of Afrobeats on Award categorisations

Wizkid is also concerned about how the Afrobeats labelling can affect his chances in the occasions of awards.

He wrote: “This is why no matter how good or amazing the music we make, be it RnB or whatever the genre, we all get nominated in the one Africa category or the other, I’ve made songs from different genres of music.”

3. The tag of ‘Afrobeats’and its origin

Wizkid has also shown concern about being linked to the origin of Afrobeats and being tagged in its identity. Meanwhile, he has unequivocally stated that he does not align with the claim.

He wrote: “The word Afrobeats was made up by y’all to put all we make into one box. Fela created Afrobeat! I make all sorts of music. Fusion of sounds! “I’m an artiste” before anything else. True to my art.”

Some of the Nigerian artistes that have also openly demonstrated to disconnect themselves from the identity of the Afrobeats tag or being called ‘just afrobeats artiste’ include Burna Boy and FireboyDML.