In a candid and introspective interview on Trending on Hip TV, veteran Afrobeats star Orezi, born Esegine Allen, opened up about the reasons behind his career’s downward trajectory and delivered a poignant critique of the evolving Afrobeats genre.
Known for chart-topping hits like Rihanna and Shoki that defined the genre’s early 2010s peak, Orezi’s revelations offer a rare glimpse into the personal and professional struggles of an artist navigating a rapidly changing music landscape.
Orezi, now residing in London, attributed his career’s decline to a loss of ambition and an embrace of complacency. “I became less ambitious, comfortable with where I am, and took myself out of the competition,” he admitted. This shift in mindset, he explained, led him to prioritize a quieter life of prayer and comfort over the relentless hustle required to stay relevant in Nigeria’s fiercely competitive music industry.
In a striking comparison, Orezi pointed to Afrobeats titan Davido, whose unyielding work ethic and hunger for global dominance persist despite his wealth and success. “Davido hustles hard, no matter what he’s achieved,” Orezi noted, underscoring the contrast between their approaches.
Beyond his personal reflections, Orezi sounded an alarm about the state of Afrobeats, a genre he believes is at risk of losing its core identity. He argued that the genre’s essence—rooted in vibrant, dance-inducing rhythms that ignite parties and clubs across Africa and its diaspora—is being eroded by a shift toward slower, more introspective “viby” sounds.
Some people will argue that the sound has evolved, but the essence that we as Africans love to party and dance is missing, he said. “If you eradicate the dance part of Afrobeats for the viby sound, you’re killing Afrobeats.”
Orezi’s critique points to a broader trend in Afrobeats’ global ascent. As the genre has gained international acclaim, artists have increasingly incorporated foreign elements—R&B, pop, and hip-hop influences—to appeal to a broader audience.
While these innovations have expanded Afrobeats’ reach, Orezi argues they come at a cost. “If all the groovy Afrobeats songs are replaced with vibes, what will we be dancing to in clubs and parties?” he asked. As one of Afrobeats’ early hitmakers, Orezi’s perspective carries weight.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Orezi’s interview raises questions about his own future in music. For Afrobeats as a whole, Orezi’s warning serves as a rallying cry for artists, producers, and fans to safeguard the genre’s dance-driven roots even as it conquers global stages.
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