DJ Big N, the Mavin Records DJ, claims Afrobeats has declined over the past two decades due to loss of originality and poor quality. He urges creators to rethink their approach.
DJ Big N has said that Afrobeats is now at its lowest point in the last 20 years. In an interview on *Echo Room*, he criticized both artists and music executives, saying the genre has lost originality and quality. Sources include QED.NG and PM News.
He argued that many creators are trying too hard to appeal to international audiences, resulting in repetitive sounds and diluted content. He warned that exporting foreign-derived styles won’t work long term without honesty in the music.
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He said product quality has dropped. Artists are using generic beats, lazy lyrics, and overproduced sounds. Originality, he remarked, is scarce. He believes many tracks now sound the same.
Big N assigned responsibility to both musicians and their managers/labels. He said executives push for sounds that chase trends rather than foster authentic expression. Artists succumb, he says, because of pressure to conform.
He warned that if artists try to sell foreign genres disguised as Afrobeats, export value will drop. He feels that once demand falls, the genre loses credibility abroad. Originality, to him, is the export strength.
Big N also spoke on performance fees, saying some artists are now too expensive even in Nigeria. He believes this trend is unsustainable and disconnects local artists from home audiences.
He encourages creators to return to originality, invest more in songwriting and sound quality, and put less emphasis on chasing foreign styles. He believes Afrobeats has more potential if the foundation is strong.
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