Akon didn’t create Afrobeats, it is a culture – ID Cabasa

The assertion made by Senegalese-American music executive Akon that he was instrumental in the development of the Afrobeats genre has been refuted by veteran record producer ID Cabasa.

In an interview with Wazobia FM, Cabasa made the case that Afrobeats was already flourishing in Nigeria prior to Akon's partnerships with regional musicians in the latter part of the 2000s.

He mentions musicians that were already causing a stir in the industry, such as Timaya, 9ice, and 2Face.

Additionally, Cabasa explained that Banky W's Empire Mates Entertainment, not Akon, was the one who found and signed Wizkid.

Cabasa claims that Akon's contribution was less about inventing the genre and more about branding and marketing.

Afrobeats is a cultural phenomenon that cannot be credited to a single individual, Cabasa emphasizes.

"Akon for also tok say na he still discovered the likes of 2Face, Timaya, 9ice, and Co.," Cabasa stated in Pidgin. When he arrives in Nigeria, the folks he rolls with tell me, "I'm the biggest person around here." He therefore rightfully believes that he invented the commercial and branding aspects of Afrobeats.

Even the way he takes it personally regarding Wizkid isn't telling the truth. As everyone knows, Banky W signs Wizkid. Yes, we work together with Akon on distribution, but we're not saying that he goes tok and makes Afrobeats. Because Afrobeats isn't a culture that one individual created.