Nigerian rapper Emeka Akumefule, also known as Blaqbonez, has claimed that Wizkidโs song โEssenceโ is responsible for bringing the attention of the rest of the world to Afrobeats.
According to him, Afrobeats has skyrocketed in popularity after Wizkid released โEssenceโ featuring Tems in 2020.
During a recent interview with American outlet KTLA, Blaqbonez stated: โAfrobeats took a massive leap when Wizkid dropped Essence and it went crazy. It just told the world Afrobeats is something you really have to watch.
โCrazy things are happening right now for Afrobeats. More talented artists are coming up.โ
OsunDailyNG recalls that Wizkid recently denounced Afrobeats, saying he does not wish to be boxed into any particular genre.
Wizkidโs team has also described โEssenceโ as an R&B song.