International dancehall sensation Kranium, currently on tour in the UK, has come to the defence of fellow entertainer Bounty Killer.
The Warlord has been receiving criticism from some members of the Afrobeats community for his recent remarks on the genre, which he described as “simplistic” with nominal lyrics. Bounty Killer stated that comparing Afrobeats to dancehall is irrational, as dancehall has been at the forefront of the music scene for over four decades, while Afrobeats is a relatively new genre.
Kranium is pushing back against the criticism, stating that Bounty Killer did not diss Afrobeats but instead pointed out the difficulty of understanding certain creative aspects of Dancehall.
“WATXH THIS CLIP !! He didn’t diss Afbro beat he dissed dancehall being too difficult to understand the word ( deeven) means (we don’t need or barely depend on the context )and he’s talking about that specific hook It’s sad someone only cut this to create tension #bountykiller” He tweeted.
Despite the rise of Afrobeats, Bounty believes that dancehall still has a place in the international market; however, artists need to be more creative and produce more relatable lyrics.
According to Bounty Killer, the technical nature of dancehall music makes it challenging for international listeners to connect with it. He also expressed frustration with the conflicts and infighting plaguing the dancehall space, in contrast to the unity in the Afrobeats community.
Bounty Killer criticized the use of metaphoric lyrics in dancehall music, suggesting that deejays should simplify their content to make it more palatable for their audience.
These comments highlight the challenges faced by dancehall music in the international market, including the need for greater creativity, relatable lyrics, and unity among practitioners in the space. Despite the criticisms from some Afrobeats fans, Bounty Killer remains committed to the genre and believes it can still compete on the global stage. However, he suggests that dancehall needs to adapt to the changing musical landscape and find new ways to connect with audiences worldwide.
