RZA has dismissed the idea that the popularity of Afrobeats and the growing number of podcasting platforms somehow pose a threat to Hip Hop.
The comment came after Lil Duval sparked a debate over the weekend, following the NBA All-Star Game’s all-Afrobeats halftime show — which featured performances by Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Tems and Rema. The comedian took to Twitter on Sunday (February 19) to share his thoughts in a series of posts.
“Afrobeats might be the death of hip hop as we know it,” read Duval’s principal tweet – which was met with a lot pushback. Asked his opinion about the comment, RZA said that he simply saw the genre as an extension of urban American music.
“Afrobeat is Hip Hop,” the legendary producer told TMZ. “They basically are doing their form of Hip Hop. Just like Trap was Hip Hop, just like G-Funk was Hip Hop, it’s just their rendition. And you know what: they deserve a chance, just like the rest of us deserve a chance, of our music to be heard around the world, inspire and feed families.”
Lil Duval had immediately added to his original thought on Sunday, with words in defense of Afrobeats.
“I wasn’t saying hip hop is over i said ‘hip hop as we know it’,” he explained, “meaning like evolved into something bigger,” he clarified. “Meaning giving afrobeats props. I don’t [know] how some took offense.”
Earlier this month, Duval had similarly stated that he felt like podcasting was more relevant than music to the Hip Hop community. RZA also waved off that comment, remarking that regardless of how else rappers may be expanding on their careers, the music itself will always remain vital.
“Nah, I think those people are on a different planet than us,” the Wu-Tang Clan founder said of fans who place podcast content over music. “Joe [Budden] is being successful, NORE’s being successful; they deserve their success. But at the same time, we just did the N.Y. State Of Mind tour – no algorithms, not streaming – sold out in so many places. Hip Hop is embedded within this culture and nothing’s gonna stop that. It’s just gonna continue to grow and find other outlets.”
The tour in question saw the Wu join forces with Nas in late August 2022 for a co-headlining trek across North America. They kicked off their run in Maryland Heights, Missouri, where they were joined by fellow New York giant Busta Rhymes, who had been announced as the tour’s special guest just a few days prior.
The 25-date N.Y. State Of Mind Tour also swung through cities including Toronto, Atlanta and Houston and before wrapping up in Los Angeles on October 4.
Just ahead of the tour’s final date, Wu-Tang and Nas took fans behind the scenes with a mini-documentary. The eight-minute film captures members of the Wu explaining the inspiration behind the run and reflecting on their respective paths to the top of the Hip Hop mountain while sharpening their sets.
Rza delusional. NBA all-star weekend lowest rated in years. Hip hop sales lowest in years. The fuck you talking bout. Mfs so scared to get cancelled by the gay dudes and black women running the internet they just say anything to appease
Fact
Sales in general are the lowest in years because nobody buys albums anymore. He shared his opinion… you just don’t agree with it.
Hip hop can’t die ! Afro beat is rising ✊🏿
I think when you describe something as “the death of” then thats going to be looked at as a negative opinion.
I’ve been listening to Afrobeat for 20 years. I dont know what this new wave of popularized garbage is gonna to be but if you wanna listen to the real stuff here is the best album to begin with: “The shrine presents afrobeat” from Fela Kuti. My @ss maybe white but I recognize good shiat when I hear it.
Anyone who followed RZA for the past 32+ years knows his comments are in alignment with his character 100%. That man has been experiential with his craft from day one that challenges the “normalcy” of hip hop. His comment about hip hop thriving and using his NY state of mind tour recently completed is proof it is alive. I was there at one of those concerts PACKED with people, damn near sold out. Of course RZA will have positive attitude about the culture when 30+ years later he can have all those fans jumping to his music..
Hotboxin the best podcast in the game. Joe Budden and NORE took the shortbus to school, i assure them fools got nothing to talk about.
What the fuck are “Afrobeats” anyways? Can someone explain.
Love RZA, but he’s been so out of touch with reality for well over 20 years. He’s so out of touch that even his Yes Men disagree with him. He’s always number 1 for me with producers bc of that prolific 1993-1997 run.