Renowned American television host and filmmaker, Steve Harvey, has shattered the misconception surrounding African artists, particularly Burna Boy, allegedly stealing from American music. Instead, Harvey asserted that it is the West, particularly America, drawing inspiration from the rich beats, soul, rhythm, and hard work emanating from the African music scene.
In a recent episode of his television show, Harvey dismissed the notion of appropriation and emphasized the profound influence of African musical elements on the global stage. “People claim Burna Boy stole this, no we stole from Burna Boy. Africans are the beats, soul, rhythm, and hard work that inspire our courage,” the comedian boldly declared, challenging Western sentiments.
Burna Boy, clarifying his musical genre as Afrofusion rather than Afrobeats, highlighted the fusion of American hip-hop, R&B, soul, Jamaican reggae and dancehall, combined with African music elements. This nuanced approach to musical expression positions Burna Boy at the forefront of a genre that transcends borders.
Despite Burna Boy’s groundbreaking nomination at the 66th Grammys in the Best Melodic Rap Performance category, where he became the first African artist in a category previously exclusive to Western artists, debates persisted in some Western circles. Accusations of attempting to hijack Western musical styles surfaced, only to be debunked by Harvey’s assertion that Africa’s musical prowess has been a longstanding source of inspiration for the West.
Harvey’s words resonate as a testament to the transformative power of African musical traditions, challenging preconceived notions and fostering a deeper appreciation for the symbiotic relationship between African and Western music.