My Aim is to Safeguard Afrobeats from Exploiters – Kiddwaya

It is a well-known fact that the Nigerian music industry is evolving and growing at an unprecedented rate. As the home to the popular and infectious genre, Afrobeats, many talented artists have emerged and gained success both locally and internationally. However, with this success, also comes the risk of exploitation and appropriation.

In a recent interview with MTV Base Africa’s programme, Official Naija Top 10, evicted Big Brother Naija All Stars housemate and serial entrepreneur, Terseer Waya, popularly known as Kiddwaya, shared his goal to protect Afrobeats from the clutches of white culture vultures. Son of billionaire businessman and socialite, Terry Waya, Kidd emphasized the need to safeguard the genre from being dominated by white capitalists.

According to him, the hard work and effort put into creating, promoting and popularizing Afrobeats could be in vain if the ownership of the genre falls into the hands of foreign profiteers. Therefore, his main motive is to ensure Afrobeats remains the property of Nigerians and is not sold or taken advantage of by outsiders.

Expanding further, Kiddwaya expressed his fear that Nigeria could potentially lose its cultural identity if the trend continues. As the younger generation of Nigerians is heavily influenced by Western culture, there is a growing concern that the country’s traditional values and practices may be forgotten or overshadowed. He advocates for a balance between embracing global culture while nurturing and preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

In conclusion, Kiddwaya’s efforts to protect Afrobeats and promote it globally while maintaining its Nigerian essence, is commendable. As the genre continues to captivate audiences worldwide, it is essential for stakeholders to prioritize its authenticity and ensure that its ownership remains within the Nigerian community.