Popular Nigerian DJ, Nonso Temisan Ajufo, better known as DJ Big N, has voiced his concerns over the declining global influence of Afrobeats, saying the genre is currently at its “worst position in the last 20 years.”
Speaking in an interview with Echo Room, DJ Big N blamed both artists and record label executives for diluting the sound in an attempt to please international audiences. He argued that this shift led to a drop in quality and authenticity.
“Afrobeats right now is at its worst position in the last 20 years. And everyone—from musicians to music executives—has a part to play in that. The quality of music dropped, and the originality disappeared. You can’t sell foreign genres to foreign audiences. We have to embrace our originality,” he stated.
The Mavin Records DJ also criticised the high performance fees charged by many Afrobeats artists, saying it has made them less accessible, especially within Nigeria.
He urged artists to reconnect with their roots and prioritise quality, warning that if the genre doesn’t return to its authentic sound, its global success could fade even further.
