Afrobeat star Seun Kuti has weighed in on the ongoing drama between Burna Boy and DJ Tunez, using the controversy to highlight what he sees as a wider issue with power dynamics among African men.
During a recent livestream, Seun Kuti addressed the tendency of some individuals to resort to violence and intimidation to assert dominance, describing such behaviour as both unnecessary and destructive.
He said:
“Wait, make I talk. Some of you feel say, as an African man, if somebody offends you, you must show say you pass am. You go arrange boys, or you go arrange police, to beat, to do this one. It doesn’t change shit, bro. It doesn’t change shit, so I’m not, me, I don’t be young man before now. It just… you are a fool, if you still believe in all those kind of nonsense.”
Seun Kuti further argued that a lack of respect and empathy among Africans fuels cycles of violence, emphasising the need for alternative ways to handle conflict.
“You are a fool, if you think say to go beat person na show say you get power. You be ode. That’s what make dem dey catch us with that. That lack of value for each other, where we think say, yes, you must destroy an African man, you must insult, you must do your worst to African men. That’s what is fcking our psyche up. That’s what is fcking our psyche up. You understand? So I’m not interested in low vibration. Make I tell you wetin dey happen,” he added.
Seun Kuti’s remarks have sparked discussions about masculinity, respect, and conflict resolution in African societies, with many praising the veteran musician for calling attention to the underlying cultural attitudes that can escalate disputes.
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