Nigerian music legend Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba or Tuface, has stirred fresh debate within the Afrobeats community after describing Burna Boy as the leading Nigerian artist ahead of Davido and Wizkid.
The ‘African Queen’ crooner offered his perspective on the current hierarchy of Nigeria’s biggest music stars.
While noting that all three artists have produced songs he enjoys, 2Baba said Burna Boy currently operates on a different musical level.
“I have my favourite songs from each, from all of them. But my own, if I must be put on the spot to say something, I think Burna is on top of the game right now,” he said on Mic On Podcast.
2Baba cautioned against direct comparisons between artists, describing such debates as unfair and subjective, likening musicians to painters who create distinct works of art.
“Different artists have different styles. There’s nothing like this one sing pass. Different people have different tastes in what they want and what they like,” he explained.
READ ALSO: Comparing Fela With Wizkid Is Ridiculous, Disrespectful – 2Baba
He added that his assessment was not based on commercial success or personal achievements, but on his understanding of the global music landscape.
“I’m going into a general aspect of this. I don’t know their bank accounts. I don’t have any information about their personal successes or all that. So I can’t speak on that.
“But from what I can measure from at least common sense and understanding of the music world, I think right now Burna is at the top of this chain.
“Not just in Nigeria, in Africa, in the world. He’s on that, but everybody’s doing fantastically well,” the singer said.
Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid are widely regarded as the “Big Three” of Nigerian Afrobeats and have long been compared over who holds the title of the country’s leading artist.
Afrobeats, a contemporary genre distinct from the Afrobeat pioneered by the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has grown into a global sound over the years.
Early contributors such as D’banj and Timaya helped lay the foundation, while artists including Wizkid, Davido and Tiwa Savage propelled the genre onto the international stage.
In recent years, acts such as Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, Asake and Ayra Starr have further expanded Afrobeats’ global reach, earning major international recognition and award nominations.
Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid and Ayra Starr were all nominated at the most recent Grammy Awards, although they were edged out by South African star Tyla.
Despite its growing influence worldwide, Afrobeats continues to face scrutiny over whether it rivals the global dominance of genres such as pop, hip-hop and Latin music.
Another recurring criticism is the perceived lack of unity among Nigeria’s top artists. Unlike Latin music stars, who frequently collaborate, leading Afrobeats acts have largely operated independently.
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