Afrobeats is escapism – Tems counters Buju Banton

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has explained afrobeats as a genre specifically for escapism.

According to her, the purpose of the genre in Nigeria is to serve as an escape from the harsh reality and not necessarily to preach against societal ills.

The ‘Love Me Jeje’ crooner stated this while reacting to Jamaican reggae legend Buju Banton’s criticism of afrobeats in a recent episode of the ‘Shopping The Sneakers’ podcast.

Banton claimed that Afrobeats had no substance and would fade with time.

“I understand where Buju Banton is coming from. Reggae is not afrobeats and afrobeats in Nigeria is specifically for escapism; that’s the purpose of afrobeats,” she said.