Has Afrobeat Overtaken Reggae/Dancehall in Global Popularity?

[Budda]

Compare the tracks in the late 90s/early 90s. It skated the edge with innuendo but for the most part they were fun and light hearted.

It is not to say that violence and sex was not around ar that time, but with Vybz Kartel it became the standard others were trying to reach.

Then there is him flooding the market with track after track after track. Artists take a shot gun approach not caring about the quality of their work. It is like they hope a beat will be hot and that they will be the first to cover it.

I hear you there was a balance that needed to be addressed but your comments are somewhat similar to the criticisms many have against ‘Gangsta rap’ I think what’s more key is the balance because Vybz is a great songwriter.

 

[concise]

all the Lil's and colourful hair rappers come from his tree

Chief Keef was never the most popular rapper for any stretch.

 

[Soundbwoy]

I hear you there was a balance that needed to be addressed but your comments are somewhat similar to the criticisms many have against ‘Gangsta rap’ I think what’s more key is the balance because Vybz is a great songwriter.

Dude has been in jail for almost a decade now and his work ethic is better than most artists, he releases quality songs frequently from his jail cell. I understand not liking his content but dude kept dancehall alive imo

 

[Bondye Vodou]

all the Lil's and colourful hair rappers come from his tree

dem is lil wayne clones, and if nikkas blamed lil wayne for the state of hip hop now they'd be 100% correct.

 

[skeetsinternal]

Afrobeat is cool and all, a nice niche/fad but its a certain vibe you get from reggae. Maybe you are comparing afrobeat with some of the new bullshyt b*stardized reggae or some bullshyt reggaeton. But let's be real, you not jumping up at a party or setting the vibe to a party like reggae.

Vibe Example:

 

[Bondye Vodou]

How Vybz Kartel was the best thing that happened with dancehall.

He could be vulgar just like the man you used the emoji off, but he could also diversify it and write songs about love, pro black issues and everything else, so he has a couple songs about violence, he grew up in that same situation and I don’t expect it not to kind of reflect in his music, but as a lyricist as an artist Vybz is up there with the very best.

What actually happened is him going to jail, if he was around dancehall would still be on top.

Yet dancehall was bigger and better before his influence took over

 

[mbewane]

In continental Europe no doubt, reggae and dancehall are basically niche music now. Cant remember last time I heard either at a party, club, dj-set, etc.

 

[MischievousMonkey]

I think so. Afrobeat is way more accessible

 

[Budda]

Dude has been in jail for almost a decade now and his work ethic is better than most artists, he releases quality songs frequently from his jail cell. I understand not liking his content but dude kept dancehall alive imo

Yeah Vybz would probably be in my top 10 artists of any genre, he has an incredible pen.

 

[Bondye Vodou]

Kartel is the Likko Wayne/Feminem of dancehall. Nikka cud mek a song with nuttin but fart sounds over a riddim and his sheep ass stans would tell you its the best thing since slice bread.

 

[mykey]

Busy Signal still holding it down for dancehall yuh dun know.






But even he did a track with AfroB



Yeah, Afrobeats taking over Brehs.

 

[Budda]

Yet dancehall was bigger and better before his influence took over

With Sean Paul and Shaggy?

Being bigger don’t make something better, in fact a lot of Jamaicans like when it’s far more relevant culturally and not relevant to the host of vultures who don’t understand the music and take it for a joke. Of course the 90’s were great for dancehall music still my favourite period, but the time after into the early to late 00’s was still producing great music for example


https://youtu.be/CITU4KH93aU

 

[Umoja]

Yet dancehall was bigger and better before his influence took over

He has too many stans. For all of the "quality" he puts out, how much of his songs survive the test of time?

Don't worry, I will wait.

He helped turn Dancehall into fast food.

 

[Soundbwoy]

dem is lil wayne clones, and if nikkas blamed lil wayne for the state of hip hop now they'd be 100% correct.

a lot of them didn't grow up on Wayne tho, Wayne influenced Chief Keef, Future and even Gucci with his work ethic

 

[the bossman]

I went to a Haitian wedding few months back and I was surprised how heavy they fukked with afrobeats. It has definitely taken over worldwide