Nigerian music star BNXN has strongly criticised American rapper Fat Joe following his controversial claim that Afrobeats originated from Jamaica.
The backlash comes after Fat Joe made the assertion during a recent podcast appearance, where he also alleged that BNXN was forced to change his former stage name “Buju” due to its similarity to Jamaican dancehall legend Buju Banton.
Reacting via his X (formerly Twitter) page on Thursday, BNXN dismissed the claims and urged the rapper to better educate himself on the origins and evolution of African music.
The singer, known for his contributions to the Afrobeats scene, did not hold back in his response, accusing Fat Joe of spreading misinformation and taking a swipe at his stance on African music and its global rise.
The exchange has since sparked renewed debate among fans and industry observers over the roots of Afrobeats, a genre widely recognised as having evolved from West African musical traditions, particularly in Nigeria and Ghana, while also drawing influence from global sounds including dancehall and hip-hop.
BNXN’s reaction highlights growing sensitivity among African artists regarding the global narrative around Afrobeats, as the genre continues to gain international prominence.
