Renowned Nigerian music producer Olumide Ogunade, popularly known as ID Cabasa, has publicly challenged claims by Senegalese-American artist Akon that he played a foundational role in creating the Afrobeats genre. The dispute, which surfaced during a radio interview in Lagos on May 10, 2025, has ignited a broader conversation about the origins and global rise of Afrobeats, a genre that has become synonymous with Nigeria’s cultural export.
Akon, during a recent U.S. podcast, asserted that his early 2000s work, including collaborations with Nigerian artists and his Konvict Musik label, helped shape Afrobeats by blending African rhythms with hip-hop and pop elements. He cited his 2004 hit Locked Up and subsequent projects with artists like P-Square as pivotal in introducing African sounds to global audiences. ID Cabasa, a veteran producer behind hits like 9ice’s Gongo Aso and Olamide’s Eni Duro, countered that Afrobeats evolved organically from Nigeria’s rich musical heritage, rooted in genres like highlife, juju, and fuji, long before Akon’s involvement.
Cabasa argued that pioneers like Fela Kuti, who created Afrobeat in the 1970s, and producers like Don Jazzy and Sarz laid the groundwork for Afrobeats’ modern sound in the early 2000s. He acknowledged Akon’s role in amplifying Nigerian music internationally, particularly through artists like Wizkid and Davido to Konvict Musik, but insisted that crediting Akon with creating the genre dismisses the contributions of Nigerian artists and producers. Cabasa highlighted the grassroots efforts of Lagos-based studios, where experimentation with drum patterns and pidgin lyrics birthed Afrobeats’ distinctive vibe, independent of external influence.
The debate reflects broader tensions about cultural ownership as Afrobeats dominates global charts, with artists like Burna Boy and Tems earning Grammy recognition. Industry analysts note that Akon’s collaborations, such as P-Square’s 2007 track Do Me, helped bridge African and Western markets, but Nigeria’s club scene and early internet platforms like SoundCity were equally critical in Afrobeats’ rise. Cabasa emphasized that the genre’s global appeal stems from its authenticity, driven by Nigerian youth culture and resilience, rather than foreign intervention.