Bankulli Defends Afrobeat Against Paulo Okoye's Claims

Abisagboola Oluseun Yeezuz, known as Bankulli, responded to celebrity show promoter Paulo Okoye's comments regarding the state of Afrobeat. Okoye had expressed concerns on Instagram, stating, “AfroBeat Is Dead Or Coma 2026,” and lamented the high fees of Afrobeat stars, which he claimed were making it difficult for promoters to book them.

In a lengthy Instagram post on Wednesday, Bankulli labeled Okoye's statement as “faulty,” suggesting it was influenced by Okoye's financial struggles in booking top artists. Bankulli emphasized that Afrobeat artists are thriving, evidenced by their purchases of new cars and houses.

He shared videos from his recent shows to support his argument, stating that the genre is not dying but rather experiencing growth in sound diversity. He acknowledged the changing pricing dynamics in the industry, asserting that while some artists may have overpriced themselves, there are still many talented artists with solid fanbases available.