Jamaican dancehall singer Buju Banton has sparked a controversy on cultural appropriation in music, accusing some afrobeats artists of borrowing from Jamaican reggae and dancehall without proper credit or respect.
In a recent appearance on the “Drink Champs” podcast, Banton expressed his concerns about the lack of acknowledgment and reciprocation from some African artists who have been influenced by Jamaican music.
He emphasised the significance of reggae and dancehall as a cultural heritage and a symbol of resistance, urging artists to use their platform for social commentary and liberation.
He said: “A lot of culture vultures out there. They’ve focused on our music so hard and stolen our culture. I’m not knocking nobody but they don’t give us no respect. And you still expect us to act like we take something from you?
“This [reggae] is the King’s music. Your music [afrobeats] shall come and go because it has nothing to with soul, building energy. Our music is a time marker. You can remember when you went on your first date, when you got married, when you are happy and when you are sad. Because it’s the King’s music.
“I went to Africa in 1991, I spent three weeks educating people from Ghana and all over the continent about reggae music and dancehall.
“I was happy when they came to their senses to realise that music is the bridge that’s going to connect us. But I was disappointed because they didn’t try to connect with Jamaica, the root. They connected with everyone else except us. I’m talking about afrobeats [artists]”.
