If you’ve been even peripherally following the Nigerian music scene recently, you’ll have heard the term “New cats” flying about, and with some passion. It’s become a debate which has got some of afrobeat’s biggest stars, commentators and fans pretty hot under the collar.
So, what’s the beef? Well, the primary debate has been this: who is a ‘new cat’ in terms of the crowded, ever-changing genre of afrobeat – and who has the sufficient musical standing to dare call themselves an ‘original cat’?
It all began with a video about, arguably, the world’s biggest afrobeat star, Davido – who made a statement referring to himself and Wizkid as the early ‘youngings’ on the scene, and the first to blow up in the new era.
The video was posted on Twitter by @itzbatisto and has since generated a LOT of reaction from fans and other artists – who either find the term “new cats” disrespectful or those, like Young 6ix (another old time Afrobeat rapper who has been off the radar in recent times) feel neglected from the debate. Young 6ix in a video also weighed in by calling out Davido for excluding him from his list of ‘younglings’.
What’s setting the cats amongst the pigeons in the world of Afrobeat, then?
Before we wade into the mixed reactions about this interview, here’s a quick background about what led to the statements – and how Davido got here.
David Adeleke (Davido), only recently returned to music to promote his “Timeless’ album after a short break (due to the tragic accidental death of his little boy in his home pool in 2022), released his second single (Dami Duro) in 2011 – part of the Omo Baba Olowo album, in 2022.
The song peaked at No.1 on the Goldmine list of top 10 songs of 2012 – a significant platform at the time. It also won Hottest Single of the Year at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards, amongst other accolades, including a nomination at the Channel O Music Awards.
All this – as well as his raw talent, of course – made Davido a breakout name, joining the likes of rising stars Wizzkid, Olamide – the future of Afrobeat. And while many have fallen to the wayside, all of these artists have continued to stay relevant, for over a decade. No mean feat.
Since 2011, other huge names have sprung up and taken the genre further than ever before, hosting international shows, selling out arenas – think Rema (hits like Iron Man and Calm Down saw him go global), Asake; Burna Boy, the first Afrobeat artist to individually win a Grammy (Wizkid won for his collaboration with Beyonce on the album, Brown Skinned Girls).
Asked in his now controversial interview what he saw as the future of afrobeat, Davido – known to be very supportive of his fellow artists – answered, ‘It’s in good hands. With the likes of new cats, like Burna Boy, Rema, Fireboy, Asake…etc.’ see video in tweet above.
His seemingly benevolent comments, however, would appear to have been taken out of context – particularly by fans of Burna Boy, including his sister, who posted a video at one of her brother’s recent concerts in London with the comment, ‘New cats dey face their hustle.’ Ouch, indeed.
Burna Boy was sighted as a video vixen on one of Cynthia Morgan’s (she now goes by the name Madrina) 2015 music video Simatiniyana. His rise to global fame, which has now exceeded the roof of all expectations, came when he and US hip-hop star Kanye West coincidentally released a single in the same period entitled ‘Ye’ – and Americans duly flocked in to listen to Burna’s ‘Ye’ instead of Kanye’s.
This twist of fate automatically shot Burna Boy – who first appeared on-screen with the music video to his song, Like To Party in 2012 – into the international music scene in 2018. That’s almost a decade after Davido’s breakout.
Music journalist and afrobeat afficionado Joey Akan seems to be on the side of Davido on this one-
Arguing on Twitter that, while Davido already had major hits on his hands a decade ago, Burna Boy was active, yes – but hadn’t yet blown up. Indeed, Burna featured as an extra on Davido’s 2011 Dam Duro video.
Joey also mentioned the logic of the ‘new cats’ phrase – as being, rather than derogatory (look, we all know the likes of Burna Boy didn’t turn up yesterday), on the basis of ‘who blew up first’ – which many unbiased minds agreed with.
Facts are facts, folks. Davido had already won in the Best international Act in Africa category at the BET awards in 2014 amongst other numerous awards and milestones before Burna had his big break in 2018. Yes he was on the scene, but hadn’t gain so much name for himself as many would tell you that they only started to put a face to the name and songs after 2018 era.
Are people getting irritated, then, by the word ‘new’ or who it was used on?
Come on. It’s just semantics, if you’re willing to listen to what the real meaning is and contextualise what Davido was trying to say. And it’s not like artists like Rema should be losing any sleep over it, as they continue their stadium tours… Or is it?
Whatever side of the fence you’re on, who doesn’t enjoy a juicy debate? And we’re kinda loving some of the genius Tweets this little afrobeat tussle has inspired – from singer BlaqBonez, posting a picture of himself proudly showing off his New Cat badge, to Twitter user @nazannwa, who said, ‘If we’re keeping it a buck, the majority of us knew Davido, Wizkid and Olamide while growing up. Every other person is a new cat. Tears cannot solve it.’
Amen. Let’s hear what YOU think.
Leave your comments, incendiary or otherwise, below…
2 responses to “Afrobeat – and the “new cats” debate…”
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Seriously?! I think they all need to get over themselves lol. They are all huge names, I think they need to stay cool like the cool cats they are and reap the rewards of such a rich afrobeat scene. I agree, Davido has been totally misunderstood with his comments. 😅
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I hadn’t heard of this debate but very enlightening, thanks! It’s interesting how language can spark real outrage!
2 Responses
Seriously?! I think they all need to get over themselves lol. They are all huge names, I think they need to stay cool like the cool cats they are and reap the rewards of such a rich afrobeat scene. I agree, Davido has been totally misunderstood with his comments. 😅
I hadn’t heard of this debate but very enlightening, thanks! It’s interesting how language can spark real outrage!