Ghanaian-American singer Amaarae has expressed concern over what she describes as the decline in the momentum of Afrobeats on the global stage.
In a candid interview with British-Nigerian media personality Madame Joyce, the Sad Girls Love Money hitmaker shared her views on the current state of the genre and called for innovation and boldness among African artists.
Afrobeats needs to evolve, says Amaarae
Amaarae, whose real name is Ama Serwah Genfi, stated that African music, especially Afrobeats, must evolve to remain relevant and exciting. According to her, the genre has hit a creative pause. She believes that some artists have grown too comfortable with a particular sound, mainly because it has brought them financial success.
“Afrobeats and African music need to evolve,” she said during the interview. “It needs to evolve in a direction that is fearless.”
She explained that many artists are now more focused on preserving their earnings than pushing creative limits. As a result, she believes this caution is stifling the growth of the genre.
“Right now, artists have made so much money from a certain type of sound that they are afraid to step out of the boundaries,” she said. “They’re probably more focused on the financial aspect of it. And because of that, I think Afrobeats has stalled.”
Praise for Rema’s ‘HEIS’ album
Despite her critique, Amaarae pointed out that there are still artists who are breaking new ground and helping to move the genre forward. She highlighted Nigerian superstar Rema as an example of someone embracing growth and experimentation.
“One of my favourite albums last year was Rema’s HEIS,” she revealed. “That’s what I consider the evolution of Afrobeats. You can see how it moved the genre and the culture forward. You can also see how it pushed his career forward.”
Rema’s bold blend of sounds, she noted, reflects the kind of fearless innovation that African music needs right now.
Stuck in a creative rut
Amaarae warned that while Afrobeats has gained international popularity, it risks losing that momentum if artists continue to play it safe. She noted that having hit songs isn’t enough if artists aren’t willing to challenge the status quo.
“There have been a lot of people that have big hits,” she said, “but they aren’t willing to push the boundaries of the music. And as a result, Afrobeats is in a bit of a rut.”
She urged African musicians to take bold steps and create music that excites audiences both at home and abroad. “Africans need to get it together, get on up, and start to experiment,” she declared.
Call for fearless creativity
Amaarae’s comments come at a time when Afrobeats continues to enjoy massive attention from global audiences. However, her warning serves as a reminder that sustaining that success requires continuous innovation.
“Music needs to evolve,” she concluded. “It needs to excite people again.”
As an artist known for blending genres and embracing experimentation, Amaarae’s message is clear: Afrobeats has the power to grow even bigger, but only if artists are bold enough to try something new.
Final thoughts
Amaarae’s critique has sparked conversation about the future of African music. While many celebrate the global rise of Afrobeats, others agree that the genre must keep evolving to remain fresh and relevant.
Her comments serve not just as a critique, but as a challenge to fellow musicians: to take risks, push creative boundaries, and keep the spirit of African music alive and moving forward.
