Azealia Banks has sparked outrage across social media after a resurfaced interview showed her dismissing Afrobeats as “not appealing” while taking direct shots at Rema and Nigerians. Her remarks — including the claim that Nigerians have “no culture” and are “scammers” — have ignited a wave of condemnation, with many calling her comments ignorant, inflammatory, and needlessly divisive.
Banks doubled down in the clip, saying she would “rather listen to patois than pidgin” and arguing that Afrobeats lacks the creative depth of K-Pop. Fans and industry watchers have swiftly pushed back, pointing out the global rise of Afrobeats and Rema’s undeniable impact — from chart-topping hits to shaping the sound of a generation. To many, her comments feel less like critique and more like provocation aimed at a booming genre she has struggled to match commercially.
With Afrobeats continuing to dominate global stages and artists like Rema influencing pop culture worldwide, the backlash raises a larger question: are Banks’ words genuine musical critique, or an attempt to stay relevant by attacking a rising movement?
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