Nigerian-American singer and actor Rotimi has ignited a debate after claiming he was the first to introduce Afrobeats to the United States. In a recent interview on the 85 South Show Podcast, Rotimi credited himself with popularizing the genre before the “Afrobeats to the World” movement gained momentum through international collaborations.

Rotimi pointed to his 2018 single “Love Riddim” facing resistance from radio stations due to its Afrobeats influences. “They didn’t even understand it,” he said, referring to a time “before Wiz [Wizkid] got the record with Drake.” This statement sparked discussions online, with many social media users countering his claim.

Critics point to earlier Afrobeats tracks that achieved success in the US before 2018. Examples include Ayo Jay’s “Your Number” (2015) and Davido’s “Fall” and “If” (2017), highlighting that Afrobeats already had a foothold in the American market. While Rotimi’s contribution to the genre’s growth shouldn’t be dismissed, his claim of single-handedly introducing Afrobeats to the US remains a point of contention.