American rapper, Fat Joe, has stirred controversy in the global music space after claiming that Afrobeats originated in Jamaica rather than Africa.
The rapper, born Joseph Antonio Cartagena, made the statement during a recent episode of the ‘Joe and Jada’ podcast, where he appeared alongside Jamaican dancehall legend, Buju Banton.
During the discussion, Fat Joe asserted that Jamaica played a foundational role in the emergence of Afrobeats, despite acknowledging Africa as the root of many musical influences.
“Jamaica started Afrobeats, even though everything comes from Africa,” he said.
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Buju Banton, who was present during the conversation, has previously voiced similar concerns about the relationship between Afrobeats and Caribbean music.
In 2024, the reggae icon claimed that Afrobeats artistes often fail to properly acknowledge the influence of reggae and dancehall, genres that have long shaped global music trends.
However, Fat Joe’s remarks have reignited ongoing debates about the origins and evolution of Afrobeats, a genre widely recognised as having roots in West Africa, particularly influenced by pioneers like Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
