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Rotimi claims to have brought Afrobeats sound to America
Nigerian-American actor and singer Rotimi recently asserted that he played a pioneering role in introducing Afrobeat to the United States. During an appearance on the 85 South Show Podcast, Rotimi discussed his journey to success and his contributions to the rise of Afrobeats’ popularity in the United States.
According to Rotimi, he was the first artist to bring Afrobeats-styled music to the forefront in the United States, predating the widespread “Afrobeats to the World” movement facilitated by international collaborations.
Rotimi, known for blending R&B elements with Afrobeats, recalled facing initial resistance when he introduced his single ‘Love Riddim‘ to radio stations in 2018 due to its Afrobeat influences.
“I remember bringing ‘Love Riddim’ to the radio stations in 2018 and the program director was like ‘This is not good’. They didn’t even understand it and this was before Wiz (Wizkid) got the record with Drake,” Rotimi narrates. “I can comfortably say I brought Afrobeats to America,” he added.
“I can comfortably say I brought Afrobeats to America and this was before Wizkid had that record with Drake”
– Rotimi pic.twitter.com/NNGGINCjsh
— BASITO (@itzbasito) April 24, 2024
While Rotimi certainly played a role in popularizing Afrobeats in the United States, particularly during its early stages of exportation, many observers would likely dispute his assertion that he single-handedly introduced the genre to America.
The rise of Afrobeats in the United States during the 2010s can be attributed to various factors, including the power of social media, music streaming platforms, and strategic collaborations between Nigerian and American artists. It’s important to recognize that the growth of Afrobeats in America is the result of a collective effort involving numerous artists, producers, and industry influencers.
While Rotimi’s music, especially considering his Nigerian-American background, undoubtedly contributed to the genre’s popularity in the United States, it would be inaccurate to credit him solely with bringing Afrobeats to America.