Afrobeats & Reggae/Dancehall: Is Buju Banton Hating or Making Valid Points?

In this weeks unfiltered episode, we go back into a conversation that has been simmering for a while but has now erupted with Buju Banton’s recent remarks on Afrobeats during his interview with Revolt TV’s Drink Champs. Buju’s critique reignites a crucial debate: Is Afrobeats becoming the dominant Black musical art form at the expense of Reggae and Dancehall’s core mission to uplift and liberate?
We revisit our earlier discussion on how and why Reggae and Dancehall lost their global influence, analysing whether it was due to losing their identity or failing to evolve. We’ll also explore the shift in Black music culture, the current impact of Afrobeats, and the complex dynamics between commercialisation and conscious artistry. Is Buju simply hating, or does he make valid points about the depth and purpose of today’s music? Tune in as we break it down from A to Z.
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[@ExpressTruth]

These reggae songs are powerful anthems of African liberation and unity. Tracks like Hugh Mundell’s “Africa Must Be Free by 1983” and Bob Marley’s “Zimbabwe” capture the spirit of freedom and resistance against colonial rule. Peter Tosh’s “African” and Burning Spear’s “Marcus Garvey” highlight pride in African identity and honour key figures in the Pan-African movement. Dennis Brown’s “Black Liberation Struggle” and The Abyssinians’ “Africa” express the ongoing fight against oppression and the longing to reconnect with the motherland. Pablo Moses’ “Revolutionary Dream” and Israel Vibration’s “Africa Here I Come” further emphasise the call for unity and return to African roots. Aswad’s “Back to Africa” and Junior Delgado’s “Sons of Slaves” speak directly to the legacy of slavery and the journey towards reclaiming freedom and cultural heritage. Together, these songs are timeless expressions of reggae’s deep connection to African liberation and empowerment.

[@jamalrobinson2159]

Family, I’m a yard man that been RAISED on Reggae music… dancehall later on…. Reggae has been banging the drums for African liberation forever… let’s make the distinction…Buju made the transition from dancehall to reggae… he’s speaking from a REGGAE perspective

[@albangbo]

When you hear IGBO N SHAYO, believe there's power in them 2 words and you only have to at times be african to know, meaning anyone can feel it. Buju is deffo right. We dancing too much forgetting congo been suffering the longest.

[@justbeingoctavia]

What a lovely way to end my evening with this podcast! Defintely needed whilst working till late tonight. Thank you guys looking forward to hearing you guys reason ✨✨✨

[@jermainethomas8010]

This was an excellent episode. The brief touch on Jamaican music and culture was mad insightful.

[@vershima69]

Everyone saying afrobeats doesn't have substance go and listen to 2face, patorankin and yemi alade

[@VOLRAK1]

@vershima69 99% of what is considered Jamaican music is baseless and has no substance. Literally all you hear is how many shots they can send into your face, how many times can a woman swallow and gargle, how many times a day the scamming phone gets pulled out. How many people can relate to any of that? And it doesn't stop the music being so popular. People are full of sh!t there's no point taking them seriously. Wouldn't be surprised when this "happy" music takes over because one thing for sure, everybody wants to be happy, not everybody wants to be a cut off pants Clarke wearing scammer.

[@vershima69]

@@VOLRAK1 yaa we cant keep listening to serial killer and sex addict music

[@fataiadegbenro984]

Reagea is a dying genre and it’s hurting their reputation, Africa shouldn’t listen to these naysayers anymore and move on and continue to appreciate our culture and traditions we have the market and the stories Everyone was ok when we Africans copied others but the moment we embrace our own the hate begins

[@inndia]

Hello Handsome men great discussion topic 🔥🔥i Will try catch you on the next live ❤️

[@decuzreidy1278]

Real talk from this pod cast i can't listen to bashment to dutty it's that bad I go back to tunes my mom used to play sum oldskool lovers rock and sum old skool ragae tunes.. More up lefting and brings back good memories 4me

[@PGesteem]

It’s not only Afrobeats that can benefit from artists putting out more conscious lyrics…I think the same can be said for today’s dancehall as well as hip hop. To put the responsibility on only Afrobeats to talk about the struggle, unity and liberation is a little unfair. Plus there are Afrobeats songs that Buju probably doesn’t know about that are conscious due to the language difference. I agree that he has a point but it’s the way he said it. All of Black music genres should be held accountable for balancing “good vibes” records with more serious tracks about what affects us today.

[@Coco-uk9tv]

Thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Express Truth analysis was spot on. Do you guys remember lovers rock? That off shoot of regae had a massive following and cross over. It was respectful and promoted love between black men and women. I was turned off Jamaican music when it became too explicit. And don't even mention some of the dances like "daggering". Also Vibz Kartel and the skin bleaching........ what's all that about?

[@B2B23.]

He has always claimed it was to enhance the tattoos lol

[@miccheck6478]

When you are from the culture you know where to find the realness anything else like sub genres don’t register in the mind

[@melbarn9204]

No disrespect just wanted to point out Dancehall genre and reggae genre is different, it a linked yes due to the musical tones etc but lyrical content varied. Reggae not usually explicit. ❤

[@Coco-uk9tv]

​@@melbarn9204Okay and thank you 🙏🏿

[@corneliusromeo2123]

14:00 True talks we grew up pon roots and culture.👊

[@MegTalksOnline]

Manners n respect breddas. Reggae has changed but there are still nuff tough artists with solid messages, Kabaka Pyramid, Protoge, Anthony B, Lila Ike, Marley breddas, Iotosh, Jesse Royale, Zion I Kings, Alborosie, Green Lion Crew, Queen Omega (from Trini). And the classic artisits are still making tracks all now like Buju

[@anniejames3059]

Afrobeat to the word I am a Nigerian we own afrobeat reggae is not a African things African has own theirs an we are enjoying afrobeat

[@fataiadegbenro984]

Thank you, it’s all hating… Reagea is dieying across the world especially Africa

[@adesiwoniku5514]

Funny enough people use afrobeat to self medicate.😂😂😂 and mind u a lot of Jamaicans youths don't even listen to raggae they listen to dancehall or hip hop.

[@manixman6884]

Afro beats don’t need any Bob Marley type figures. It just a feel good music. If Buju want to sing abt inspiration that fine. It clear from that interview that he knew very little abt Afro beat. I sense jealousy and envy from him. Calling them motherfxxxers. He is just jealous and bitter. How had his inspiration songs liberate Jamaica?

[@trevormcdonald385]

It does

[@B2B23.]

I believe the mf comment was directed at reggaeton

[@taniamarie2486]

Now you guys see how we feel 😂

[@trevormcdonald385]

@@taniamarie2486 who’s we

[@taniamarie2486]

@@trevormcdonald385 look at my picture and figure it out for yourself.

[@melbarn9204]

This is a very deep conversation maybe why people dont choose to comment 😮

[@sranks007]

Very good and real analysis of the self destruction embedded in Jamaican music orchestrated by colonial money

[@themythuk]

Very very very good piece guys.. you are improving every episode..

[@marshallcampbell6498]

For me i think people are too emotional, they cant take criticism or think objectively, if something they like or is personal to them is questioned they get on the back foot. Buju spoke facts, these man are talking facts. A lot of the music is fuckry

[@fataiadegbenro984]

There are over 1 Billion people in Africa and 1/4 listens to music unfortunately majority of those listeners are not listening to Reagea music anymore as😂compare to before definitely the market value of Reagea definitely depreciated in Africa and that’s exactly what Buju is talking bout Reagea is not popular anymore in the continent Amapiano and afrobeats took over

[@nmarcus7233]

Reasonings 👊🏾

[@MrDreddyp]

-32:45 Yes so true

[@VOLRAK1]

My days, so much to chop up here and I hate leaving long comms. Buju is wrong. Like Mark said afrobeat is happy music. They don't need a Bob Marley yet, the vibe alone does wonders and sets a good mood! It's on the right VIBRATION. Buju should be careful to remember that he disappointed us when he caught dxxgs charges as a big Rasta and one of the most famous faces of the struggle from Jamaica, what kind of hypocrisy is it to say they need a Bob Marley or a Buju and somebody speaking on the struggle when they see that somebody not living up to the standards by getting caught up in such things as coco cola? Jamaica has more than enough people speaking struggle music...and yet Jamaica is no.1 in the wolrd in M rates...make it make sense Buju

[@lovejones1897]

Buju is making so much sense they have no one speaking about the oppression or the power to uplift their people. They are singing about fun times when ppl are still struggling and dying. Tribes are being set on fire and people are being trafficking. Those men are getting rich and not speaking to free those ppl.

[@VOLRAK1]

@lovejones1897 And....Jamaica has the most people singing about oppression and uplifting people from the powers....and Jamaica still leads the entire world in merdur rates, we can't tell them man nothing because we have zero proof in the pudding just chat. And for the record there are plenty African artists touching on the oppression topic I have no problem posting just one. Buju lost credit as a rasta to anybody with an ounce of principle and morals, that's the other thing about Jamaican culture, we are very apologetic for the wrong people for all the right reasons. I doubt even Jesus will receive the kind of celebration Kartel did, and these little things tell us a whole lot about Jamaican culture, we're in no position to chastise NOBODY about the music they put out when we have ruined our own genre over hype KMT and SMH.

[@stonemuzik432]

Fela kuti is there bob marley

[@fataiadegbenro984]

You guys are just holding on to the past and forgotten to look into the future Reagea musical genre can’t speak to love and events happening in Africa society today, Africa today is talking about love, respect for our women, appreciation for the culture and tradition of Africa remember Africa culture and traditions is not about wars and poverty Africa culture emanates love and respect and peace This is pure hating, this is because Africans people now are embracing their culture and traditions and appreciation for the cultural ethics of the motherland I used to love Reagea unfortunately Reagea have lost it’s values and I don’t think I’ll want to go back listening to someone else culture and tradition There was never any time in history it wasn’t cool to be African so dude stop the trash maan

[@B2B23.]

Beanie www.thehatman.com/product/cable-beanie-12-colours/ Durag www.thehatman.com/product/premium-quality-durags/

[@thesonofqueenidia3007]

Why cant buju just enjoy his reggae and africa enjoy their afrobeat. We dont need to be dictated to. If he really cares about africa he wouldnt be singing songs, hed be championing researxh and development, human capital development, investment in education and healthcare. Leave it at that.

[@avi9092]

💯👌🏽

[@trevormcdonald385]

You guys should have touched on the fact that these genres and how Jamaica directly influenced them. It’s easily demonstrated. Like how reggaeton is basically son bow the dembow riddim originated by Jamaicans producers Even a song like a Rema calm down has a dancehall beat behind it. Jamaica sound has been nicked right under our noses so it’s true in that sense. A lot of the riddims that underpin these songs originated with Jamaican producers. Burns boy cadence is basically Jamaican patois despite the fact he sings in pidgin these ddays. Jamaican music lost international favour because of the sexual content and homophobia and violence it’s not as marketable. Afrobeats is what dancehall used to be sadly. You made a good point there. We don’t have the demographics either and nowadays most ppl Have their own artists to Support

[@JasonEdwards12]

Jamaican music started out as a copy of New Orleans jazz and r &b from black Americans even Bob Marley credits Fats Domino with creating reggae and Coxsone said they copied black American r&b

[@trevormcdonald385]

@@JasonEdwards12 no we had our own musical tradition too mento and we innovated we created new. Even jazz and r&b has influenced Fromm European music nothing is created from scratch. Y’all can’t have it both ways Your Afro american your not even in this conversation to be honest I’m talking about what Jamaican producers did

[@anniejames3059]

You Jamaican are jealous of afrobeat reggae is a Jamaican thing nt an African things

[@michaeloluwasegunagbelusi9105]

U right