The Digest:
American rapper Azealia Banks has ignited a fierce controversy by declaring she "can't love Nigeria," dismissing the global Afrobeats genre and culture while simultaneously calling for freedom for the Indigenous People of Biafra. During a podcast appearance, Banks criticized Afrobeats, singled out artists, and made remarks about Nigerian identity that have sparked widespread backlash across social media.
Key Points:
- Azealia Banks stated she "can't love Nigerians as they want to be loved" and criticized the country's cultural foundations
- She dismissed Afrobeats, calling artist Rema a "skinny little boy" while offering selective praise for Tiwa Savage
- Her description of the word "Nigeria" as sounding like "nigga’ria" triggered immediate outrage
- In a contentious pivot, she voiced support for the secessionist group IPOB, calling for their freedom
- The comments have drawn intense criticism online, with many Nigerians defending their culture and music
- Critics accuse Banks of provocation, ignorance, and interference in complex national politics
- The rapper's history of controversial statements about African and global cultures added fuel to the reaction
Sources: Cheapy’s Two Cents Podcast, Notjustok
