Ruggedman Slams “Afrobeats” Label, Calls It a Cover for Mediocrity

Veteran Nigerian rapper Ruggedman has sparked fresh debate in the music industry after criticizing the broad categorisation of African music under the single label “Afrobeats.”

In a recent interview, the outspoken artist also known as Ruggedy Baba made it clear that he has never supported the idea of grouping the diverse sounds coming out of Africa into one umbrella term. According to him, his earlier objections were often misunderstood, with many accusing him of jealousy or gatekeeping.

Ruggedman argued that “Afrobeats” is not a true genre but rather a convenient label that has been widely adopted, especially outside Africa. He pointed out that in international markets like the UK, African artists are frequently tagged as Afrobeats performers regardless of their actual style of music.

He traced the popularisation of the term to audiences abroad, suggesting that it was a simplified way to categorize African music. However, he believes this generalisation overlooks the richness and diversity of sounds across the continent.

Taking his criticism further, Ruggedman claimed that the term “Afrobeats” particularly with an “S” has become a cover for mediocrity among some Nigerian artists. In his view, creating a hit song in this space often relies more on catchy beats, repetitive street slang, and heavy promotion rather than genuine musical talent or originality.

He also questioned the vocal abilities of many artists associated with the movement, alleging that only a few can perform effectively without the aid of autotune. According to him, this may explain why some artists avoid freestyle sessions or live band performances, where raw talent is more exposed.

His comments are likely to reignite ongoing conversations about identity, originality, and global perception within African music especially as the genre continues to gain massive international recognition.