Popular Nigerian disc jockey DJ Big N has dismissed widespread claims that Afrobeats is losing relevance, arguing instead that the genre is struggling with a decline in creativity.
Speaking in a video shared on Instagram, DJ Big N said Afrobeats has not been overtaken by Amapiano, but has instead been challenged by the fresh energy and sound the South African genre brought into global music spaces.
According to him, the emergence of Amapiano introduced new rhythms, drum patterns and club experiences that naturally attracted listeners, as is common in the evolution of music trends.
He stressed that the rise of another genre does not signal the death of Afrobeats, but rather highlights the need for continued innovation within the industry.
DJ Big N noted that the real issue lies in what he described as repetitive and formula-driven Afrobeats productions, where many songs now rely on similar tempos, log drums and viral TikTok-focused structures.
He argued that the genre’s early success was driven by originality and experimentation from pioneering artists such as 2Baba, P-Square, Don Jazzy, and Wande Coal, who helped shape its global identity through distinct sounds.
He added that Afrobeats artists who push boundaries in storytelling, production and performance will continue to keep the genre dominant globally.
“Amapiano has not killed Afrobeats,” he said in part. “The problem is lack of creativity. Music doesn’t die because another genre becomes popular; it evolves.”
DJ Big N maintained that Afrobeats remains a powerful global force, insisting that its future depends on originality rather than imitation of trending sounds.
