Nigerian music superstar Tiwa Savage has dismissed claims that Afrobeats is experiencing its worst run in two decades, insisting that the genre remains on an unstoppable upward trajectory.
Savage made the remarks while speaking at the Unstoppable Africans event, where she addressed recent comments by top industry figures — including music executive Paul Okoye (Paulo) and DJ Big N — who suggested that Afrobeats is currently declining in global relevance.
Countering the narrative, the “Somebody’s Son” crooner described Afrobeats as the fastest-growing genre in the world, noting its increasing dominance on international charts and sold-out global tours.
“Afrobeats is the fastest-growing genre in the world. We kind of created it with nothing — no support, no infrastructure, no real belief even from our own people initially,” she said.
The Grammy-nominated singer highlighted the genre’s cultural impact, explaining how Afrobeats has reshaped global perceptions of Africa and inspired pride among Africans worldwide.
“I remember growing up in London and I was not happy being African. But now I’m so proud because of how big Afrobeats is growing,” Savage shared.
She also dismissed the notion that the genre’s global prominence was temporary, asserting that African music continues to expand its reach.
“There was a conversation at one point that Afrobeats was going to have its 15 minutes of fame and then fade away. But we are still here. We are not slowing down. In fact, we are filling out stadiums and getting the biggest songs on the charts right now.”
Savage concluded by emphasizing the resilience and influence of African artists, declaring that the movement is far from over.
“As much as they are trying to quiet us down, the music is not going anywhere. We are Africans, and we are unstoppable,” she said confidently.
Afrobeats — a fusion of West African rhythms, hip-hop, dancehall, and pop — has become a global phenomenon over the past decade, with artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and Rema leading the charge on world stages and international award platforms.
