The main thrust of Joey Akan’s argument is that Burna Boy’s claim that Nigerian music lacks substance is misguided and self-serving.
Joey suggests Burna Boy tends to rely on divisive narratives that position him as exceptional when promoting albums to Western audiences unfamiliar with the nuances of Nigerian music. For example, wearing activism as a “cloak” for African Giant and Twice as Tall.
Per Joey, Nigerian music does have substance, just not in the literal, overt way Burna Boy implies. Nigerian music embraces escapism and realism through rhythms and emotional upliftment.
He provides examples of songs like Omah Lay’s “Soso” and Joeboy’s “Sip” that deal with mental health and substance abuse but are delivered through danceable beats. Nigerian music reflects societal issues through joyous music.
Joey argues the “lack of substance” critique stems from an intellectual limitation in understanding Nigerian music’s deeper thematic richness beneath the upbeat rhythms.
