Veteran Nigerian music producer Olumide Ogunlade, popularly known as ID Cabasa, has raised an alarm about the increasing Western influence on Afrobeats, warning that the genre may be losing its cultural identity in the pursuit of global appeal.
In a recent appearance on Channels TV’s Rubbin’ Minds, the producer behind 9ice’s iconic hit Gongo Aso voiced his concern about the direction modern Afrobeats is taking. While he acknowledged the benefits of the genre’s international success, he emphasized that it is increasingly sounding less African and more like R&B.

“There’s a good part to the diaspora effect. Many young Nigerian producers are learning new sounds and improving the quality of production. But I’m worried about the identity we’re losing,” Cabasa explained.
“The West is now sounding more like Afrobeats, while we’re sounding more like R&B. That’s the real concern. It’s scary. I almost think we’ve already lost part of it.”
Cabasa further criticized the growing trend of Nigerian Afrobeats stars relocating abroad and charging for performances in foreign currencies, which he believes further distances them from their cultural roots.
In a bid to preserve the authenticity of the genre, the 49-year-old producer has embarked on a project to reimagine classic Afrobeats tracks. His recent releases include new versions of Olufunmi by Styl-Plus and Photocopy by 9ice — efforts aimed at reminding the younger generation of the genre’s true essence.
Cabasa credited rapper Olamide for inspiring the project. “It all started from a conversation with Olamide. We were talking about how people abroad are trying to hijack the Afrobeats narrative — saying they named it, shaped it. That’s when Olamide said, ‘Maybe we should bring back the sounds that shaped this thing.’ That idea resonated with me.”
He praised artists like Tems, who recently reintroduced Love Me Jeje, originally released by Seyi Sodimu in 1999, to a new generation. According to Cabasa, sampling African classics instead of foreign ones helps keep the culture alive.

“Sampling brings familiarity and emotional connection. Instead of sampling foreign music, why not revive our rich catalogue?” he urged.
In recent times, other artists like Rema (Sade’s Is It a Crime), Burna Boy (Soul II Soul’s Back to Life), and Joeboy (Michael Jackson’s Thriller) have also reinterpreted classic hits, highlighting a growing trend of bridging the past with the present.
Cabasa’s passionate call serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural preservation in the face of globalization. As Afrobeats continues to conquer global stages, he urges artists and producers to hold on to the unique sounds and stories that define the genre’s African roots.