Popular Nigerian singer Joeboy has said Afrobeats is entering a new phase, one he believes will restore the heart of the genre.

The singer spoke during his sold out Valentine’s Day show in Lagos. Midway into his performance, the ‘Faji’ crooner told fans that Afrobeats is now being cleansed of music that does not reflect its true sound.

According to him, “wack music no longer have a place in the genre. Afrobeats right now is going through a purge. We are getting back to the times where real music is going to stay – no more gimmicking and all of that.”

He continued, “I can feel it already and I am happy that we are getting back to those zones where the music speaks. I thank God for that.”

His comments come at a time when conversations about the direction of Afrobeats have grown louder.

At the start of the 2020s, the Nigerian music industry saw strong collaborations and fusions between Afrobeats and other genres. Many artists blended the sound with South Africa’s Amapiano, American hip hop, and R and B.

While the crossovers helped expand Afrobeats to global audiences, some critics argued that the heavy fusion watered down the original sound. They called for a return to what they described as “original Afrobeats.”

By 2024, a shift began to emerge. Some Nigerian artists started focusing more on traditional Afrobeats rhythms and reduced the strong Amapiano influence in their songs.

Music lovers across the country have described this shift as a positive move. However, many also admit that it may take time for the genre to fully reconnect with its original rhythm and identity.

Joeboy believes Afrobeats is finding its way back to its roots. His remarks reflect a wider conversation within the industry about authenticity and sound.

As more artists embrace what many call “real Afrobeats,” fans will be watching closely to see how the genre continues to evolve in the coming years.