“Afrobeats Is Dying From Within!” – DJ Big N Calls Out Artists And Labels Over Genre’s Decline

According to reports from Ireporter Online, renowned Nigerian disc jockey Nonso Temisan Ajufo, popularly known as DJ Big N, has voiced his dissatisfaction with the current state of Afrobeats, asserting that the genre has reached its lowest point in the last two decades.

In a recent conversation with Echo Room, DJ Big N lamented the sharp decline of Afrobeats’ global influence, placing responsibility on both the artists and music executives. He noted that in an attempt to appeal to international audiences, many musicians and record labels compromised the genre’s authenticity, which ultimately led to a reduction in quality and originality.

DJ Big N explained that Afrobeats, once celebrated for its unique rhythm and cultural depth, has now become watered down due to excessive attempts at westernization. He stressed that the originality of the sound — once the core of its global appeal — has diminished significantly.

The respected disc jockey further criticized the growing trend of artists overpricing performances, particularly in local markets, describing the practice as unsustainable. He urged Afrobeats musicians and industry leaders to reflect and make conscious efforts to restore the genre’s originality and global relevance.

In his words, “Afrobeats right now is at its worst position in the last 20 years. Everyone, from musicians to music executives, is to blame. The quality of music dropped. You must understand that the quality of the product is key in every way. The originality of the music also dropped. Always remember that whatever you want to export must be original. You can’t sell foreign genres to foreign audiences. We have to embrace our originality.”