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AFRICA April 13-18 2022 Weekly Digest 20

Gatekeeping

is out of

touch with

the modern

music

marketplace

ately, Afrobeats, Nigeria’s biggest music
export, has been taking up a lot of space
abroad.
In March 2021, Burna Boy won the Gram-

Lmy for Best Global Music Album. A few highly of the cross-cultural nature of mu- o mutual exchanges since D’banj frol- live with two distinctive realities – that
days ago, Wizkid’s album Made in Lagos almost did sic, and they are acutely aware of the im- icked with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. music, they must fight the cultural appropriation

the same. And Wizkid and Tems’ song “Essence” has portance of international collaborations in what would be the reason for giving up on of Afrobeats while also exporting it to the
been dubbed last year’s “song of the summer” and terms of building and growing the base of a strategy that has worked until now? world.
was certified platinum in the US after selling a mil- Afrobeats. If Afrobeats has always thrived Perhaps Nigerians will have to learn to — AfricanArguements

lion copies. Burna Boy is slated to hold a concert at
the iconic 20,000 capacity Madison Square Garden
in April 2022. And last month, Billboard launched
the Afrobeats US chart, which was topped for the

first time by the platinum-selling song “Love Nwan-
titi” by CKay. This success has delighted many.
However, with great power also comes great dis-
trust. Now that Afrobeats is taking up the centre
stage globally, some Nigerian fans are becoming
concerned of cultural appropriation and that for-
eign enthusiasts will plagiarise the genre.
Lady Donli, a Nigerian singer, captured this un-
ease when she replied to news of a Korean Afrobe-
ats song, tweeting: “I am afraid it is time to gate-
keep.” Press Statement
Why gatekeep? 7 APRIL 2022
The song “Monsters You Made” by Burna Boy
ends with the voice of Ghanaian poet and academ-
ic, Ama Ata Aidoo, talking about how for centuries, ZLHR STATEMENT ON WORLD HEALTH DAY
all Western colonialists have done is to take from Af-
ricans until they have nothing left. For some Nige-
rians, Afrobeats is the latest artefact vulnerable to ON this World Health Day, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) calls upon the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has claimed millions of lives globally
this same fate. public to demand a world that is conducive to good health and salutes healthcare and disrupted the lives of many more people. The pandemic and its after effects continue
This sentiment manifested recently when Bill- professionals who have truly been selfless warriors. to plague the whole world today. It is therefore important for members of the public to
board credited Beyoncé and Drake for the rise of remain vigilant and ensure that they adhere to all COVID-19 protocols and regulations.
Afrobeats in the US. Many Nigerian observers hit In Zimbabwe and across the world, healthcare workers have since the outbreak of
back that the credit should go to Afrobeats artists coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic assumed the role of a heroic medical army working In Zimbabwe, there is an urgent need for authorities to address the health challenges that
themselves, like 2baba, D’banj, and Fuse ODG. to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease. have been presented by the threats of climate change, environmental degradation and
Similar frustration followed Fireboy DML’s an- COVID-19. Government should accelerate its plans to transition from the use of coal for
nouncement last year that he would be releasing a Marked annually on 7 April, World Health Day is commemorated in order to highlight electricity production to the use of solar and wind energy, as a response to the threat of
remixed version of his smash-hit song “Peru” with pressing global health issues. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the establishment of climate change on human health. The switch to cleaner energy sources will also reduce
English singer Ed Sheeran. “The white man is real- the World Health Organisation (WHO), which was founded on 7 April 1948 and every air pollution and the prevalence of airborne diseases. Government should also invest in
ly gentrifying all our hits damn,” @nicolezani22 re- year on World Health Day, WHO chooses a theme which speaks to a global health issue sanitation systems across the country, as a means of preventing the outbreak of
plied on Twitter. “Why do y’all think you need white that needs to be addressed by all nations. waterborne diseases. The authorities are also urged to invest in projects that are aimed at
people to boost a fire song,” added @AkuaSaysRe- the delivery of safe, clean and potable water across the country. Authorities should also

lax. The remix reached number 1 on the Billboard In 2022, the theme for World Health Day is “Our Planet, Our Health.'' The theme urges implement programmes that are aimed at addressing the food shortages across the
World Digital Song Sales Chart and number 2 on governments across the world to prioritise the health and well-being of their citizens and country. The availability of adequate food is an essential requirement for a healthy life.
the UK O cial Singles Chart. residents. It also emphasises the need for nations to protect and preserve the

Can it work? environment, as a means to promoting good health. Human beings rely on the ZLHR also urges Zimbabwean authorities to protect and promote the health of all
While the history of exploitation is true, con- environment for their well-being and health. The environment provides vital drinking Zimbabweans by implementing policies that are aimed at protecting and preserving the
cerns around Afrobeats have to be understood in water, food and shelter for people across the globe. It is therefore important for all nations environment, the quality of drinking water and the availability of adequate food in our
the context of the modern music marketplace. And to preserve the environment so that it remains habitable and conducive to good health. communities.
the reality is that Afrobeats itself is an extrapolation
of various international sounds like hip hop, dance- Our planet is facing immense challenges today due to climate change. The United Government has a legal duty to address the health challenges which threaten the well-
hall, house, R&B and many others including, more Nations has described climate change as the single biggest threat that is facing our being of Zimbabweans and to ensure the availability of healthcare services. In particular,
recently, South Africa’s Amapiano. Furthermore, the planet and humanity today. Climate change threatens to disrupt many communities by Section 29(1) of the Constitution obliges the State to ensure the availability of basic,
nature of music does not lend itself to being limited making some environments uninhabitable. Some regions have become uninhabitable accessible and adequate health services across the country. Section 73(1)(a) of the
to a particular community or country. Music has al- due to extreme heatwaves and higher temperatures, which have been caused by climate Constitution also obliges the State to protect and promote everyone's right to an
ways been shared, borrowed and adapted, and so- change. Other regions are no longer habitable because climate change has adversely environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being. Importantly, section 76 (4)
cial media has contributed immensely to the rap- affected agriculture in those regions, leading to severe food shortages. Climate change of the Constitution obliges the authorities to take reasonable and other legislative
id exportation of Afrobeats far beyond West African has also led to the displacement of many communities, following extreme weather measures that are aimed at the progressive realisation of the right to health care of all
shores. It is only natural that people from other cul- events such as floods and cyclones. Therefore, the adverse impact of climate change on Zimbabweans.
tures will fall in love with the genre, be inspired by it, the environment has led to a deterioration in the well-being and health of many people
and seek to experiment with it. who depend on the environment for their well-being. On this World Health Day, ZLHR calls upon:
“I feel gatekeeping is ridiculous, and it’s people Ÿ The public to demand a world that is conducive to good health;
outside the game that usually make statements like It is imperative for all nations to collaborate in the fight against climate change, so that Ÿ All nations to collaborate in the fight against climate change and its harmful
that because, at the end of the day, music is a busi- the earth remains conducive to the health and well-being of everyone. Governments effects on the health and well-being of people across the globe;
ness”, says Ini Baderinwa, an entertainment consult- across the world should switch from using fossil fuels, which cause global warming and Ÿ The Zimbabwean authorities to protect and promote the health of all
ant and co-founder of TXT Mag. climate change, and adopt renewable energy. The use of renewable energy, such as solar Zimbabweans by implementing policies that are aimed at improving the air
“[Afrobeats] is something people earn a living energy, wind energy and hydroelectric energy, will arrest the rising global temperatures quality of the environment, the quality of drinking water and the availability of
from. The more everybody does things with Afro- and the harmful effects of climate change on human health. The transition to renewable adequate food in our communities.
beats, the more our music gets more streams, more energy requires governments to commit to investing in clean energy. The investment in Ÿ The authorities to comply with their constitutional obligation of implementing
listeners, more money and more attention. As Afro- clean energy is necessary for the survival of humanity and the stability of our planet. legislative and other measures that are aimed at the progressive realisation of
beats goes global, it also allows the major music the right to health care of all Zimbabweans.
players to invest in the Nigerian music industry, and The health and well-being of people around the world has also been threatened by the
we need a lot of investment in the industry”.
Indeed, the attention that Afrobeats generates
has often followed expansionist drives further west- Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
wards. Wizkid and Tems’ “Essence” broke into the Kodzero/Amalungelo House
top 10 of the Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs No. 103 Sam Nujoma Street, Harare, Zimbabwe
Chart following its remix with Justin Bieber, a col- Phone: (+263 8677005347, +263 242 764085/705370/708118
laboration many critics claimed was unnecessary. Email: info@zlhr.org.zw
After doing a version with Ed Sheeran, Fireboy www.zlhr.org.zw
DML’s “Peru” went gold in the UK and was acknowl- FOLLOW US:@ZLHRLAWYERS ON TWITTER |
edged by the Peruvian government. ZIMBABWE LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ON FACEBOOK
Nigerian music executives themselves speak