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ID Cabasa Raises Alarm Over Afrobeats’ Identity Crisis, Warns Against Western Influence
Veteran Nigerian music producer Olumide Ogunlade, professionally known as ID Cabasa, has voiced serious concerns over what he describes as a growing identity crisis in Afrobeats, fuelled by the increasing influence of Western music culture.
Appearing on Channels TV’s Rubbin’ Minds on Sunday, the hitmaker behind 9ice’s iconic track “Gongo Aso” lamented that the genre, once a vibrant representation of African sounds and stories, is at risk of being diluted in a bid to cater to foreign markets.
“There’s a good part to the diaspora effect. Many young Nigerian producers are learning new sounds and improving the quality of production,” Cabasa acknowledged. “But I’m worried about the identity we’re losing.”
He warned that the soundscape is shifting dramatically, with Afrobeats starting to resemble R&B rather than its original African-rooted form.
“The West is now sounding more like Afrobeats, while we’re sounding more like R&B. That’s the real concern. It’s scary. I almost think we’ve already lost part of it,” he said.
Cabasa, 49, also expressed unease over the rising number of Nigerian artists relocating abroad and operating primarily in foreign currencies, suggesting that this disconnect from the local culture could further erode the genre’s authenticity.
Driven by these concerns, the seasoned producer said he has taken it upon himself to reimagine classic Nigerian songs — a deliberate effort to preserve the musical heritage and reintroduce it to a younger audience.
“That’s why I keep doing what I’m doing — reimagining classics — to remind this new generation of artistes not to lose themselves. Don’t abandon who you are just to fit in,” he urged.
So far, Cabasa has reworked timeless hits such as Styl-Plus’s “Olufunmi” and 9ice’s “Photocopy,” bringing a fresh yet nostalgic spin to these classics.
He credited rapper Olamide for inspiring this creative direction, revealing that a conversation with the YBNL boss sparked his decision to preserve and promote foundational Afrobeats sounds.
“It all started from a conversation with Olamide. We were talking about how people abroad are trying to hijack the Afrobeats narrative — saying they named it, shaped it. That’s when Olamide said, ‘Maybe we should bring back the sounds that shaped this thing.’ That idea resonated with me,” Cabasa said.
He also praised contemporary artists like Tems, whose recent hit “Love Me Jeje” — a remake of Seyi Sodimu’s 1999 classic — serves as a powerful example of how sampling Nigerian music can bridge generations and keep cultural stories alive.
“Tems winning with ‘Love Me Jeje’ — that’s cultural. It’s storytelling. Sampling brings familiarity and emotional connection. Instead of sampling foreign music, why not revive our rich catalogue?” he asked.
Cabasa’s advocacy comes at a time when Afrobeats is enjoying unprecedented global attention. Yet, his call is clear: preserve the soul of the genre while embracing its future.