Akon didn’t create Afrobeat – ID Cabasa

Veteran music producer ID Cabasa has disputed Akon’s claim that he played a pivotal role in creating the Afrobeats genre.

Cabasa argued that Afrobeats existed before Akon’s collaborations with Nigerian artists like Wizkid and P-Square.

He points out that artists such as 2Face, 9ice, and Timaya were already popularizing the genre.

Cabasa also corrected Akon’s claim about discovering Wizkid, stating it was actually Banky W who signed Wizkid to his label, Empire Mates Entertainment, which later partnered with Akon’s label.

Cabasa emphasized that Afrobeats is a cultural movement, not created by one person. “Akon can’t claim to have created Afrobeats,” he said, adding that Akon’s role was more about distribution and branding.

ID Cabasa, speaking in pidgin, said:

“Akon for also tok say na he still discovered the likes of 2Face, Timaya, 9ice and Co. Na the people wey he roll with when he come Nigeria, wey tell am say, ‘I’m the biggest person around this place.’ So, he properly feels he pioneered business and branding sides of Afrobeats.

“Even the way wey he take dey tok about Wizkid, no be wettin the story be be that. We all know say na Banky W dem sign Wizkid. Yes, we collaborate with Akon in terms of distribution but e no mean say he go tok say na he create Afrobeats. Because Afrobeats no be wettin wey one person create, na culture.”