Veteran Nigerian producer and music executive ID Cabasa is working hard to preserve the true identity of Afrobeats with his upcoming album. In a recent interview on Rubbing Minds, he shared that a talk with Olamide inspired him to focus on the history and roots of the genre.

Olamide pointed out that some classic sounds that shaped Afrobeats should make a comeback. This idea matched what ID Cabasa had been planning all along. He believes many people don’t fully understand Afrobeats’ history, and bringing back these sounds is important to keep the culture alive.

ID Cabasa also responded to Akon’s claim that he discovered Wizkid and helped popularize Afrobeats worldwide. While he acknowledged Akon’s role in promoting the genre internationally, Cabasa stressed that Afrobeats was already strong before that. Many artists had worked hard to push the music forward. He said that today’s success of Nigerian pop music is a team effort from many stars over time.

Beyond preserving history, ID Cabasa believes there should be some gatekeeping for Afrobeats, especially about cultural ownership. He explained, “while the creative aspect of the music can’t be gatekept, Nigerians need to always be at the forefront of the conversation.” This shows the importance of Nigerians leading discussions about their music globally.

Motivated by this mission, ID Cabasa has been reimagining classic Afrobeats songs. He has already released new versions of hits like 9ice’s “Photocopy” and Styl Plus’ “Olufunmi.” These fresh takes honor the original songs while giving them new energy.

Through this work, ID Cabasa reminds fans and the industry about Afrobeats’ rich history. He encourages a deeper appreciation for the genre’s culture and legacy.

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