AI, ownership debate reshaping Afrobeats future – TB2

By Henry Obetta

Fast-rising Afrobeats act, Adetola Akinjoko, popularly known as TB2, has warned that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could either strengthen or weaken the global identity of Afrobeats, depending on how African artists respond to the growing influence of technology on music production, copyright ownership and creative direction.

TB2, who hails from Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State, said while technology is expanding opportunities for emerging talents, it also presents fresh concerns about originality, ownership and control of African sound.

The artiste noted that AI-powered tools are already influencing how music is created, distributed and consumed across the global industry.

According to him, AI has simplified production processes by enabling creators to generate beats, refine vocals and experiment with melodies without necessarily relying on expensive studio sessions.

“AI is changing how we create music in a big way. A young artiste in Lagos or Port Harcourt can now produce world-class sound with just a laptop,” he said.

However, TB2 warned that the technology also poses a risk to the authenticity that defines Afrobeats.

“Afrobeats is deeply cultural. Our rhythm, slang and storytelling come from lived experience. AI can imitate that, but it doesn’t feel it. The danger is ending up with music that sounds right but lacks soul,” he said.
On copyright, the artiste expressed concern that African creators could once again lose control of their intellectual property if legal frameworks fail to evolve quickly enough to protect original works from being mined by AI systems without consent.

“If an AI model is trained on Afrobeats songs without permission, who owns what it creates? The original creators, the prompt writer or the tech company? Right now, the law hasn’t caught up, especially in Nigeria,” he noted.

TB2 stressed that, beyond production and copyright concerns, creative control is also shifting as digital platforms and algorithms increasingly influence what becomes popular globally.

“Artists are beginning to feel pressure to create data-friendly songs instead of expressive ones. The real question is whether we are making music for people or for machines,” he said.

Speaking on the prospects of Nigerian artistes breaking into global markets without relying heavily on foreign labels, TB2 said the possibility is growing but requires stronger local structures and ownership-driven strategies.

He explained that while international labels still provide valuable support in marketing and distribution, African artistes must begin to prioritise control of masters and publishing rights.

“We need strong local labels, African-owned streaming platforms and better distribution networks. Global platforms should be tools, not lifelines,” he said.

TB2 emphasised that Afrobeats’ global success was built on authentic African stories and cultural experiences, warning that excessive dependence on external systems could dilute its originality.

“Our sound came from our stories, our struggles and our joy. No algorithm can replace that. The future of Afrobeats is ours, but only if we protect it and shape it ourselves,” he added.