BNXN Claps Back at Fat Joe and Buju Banton Over Afrobeats Origin and Name Change Claims

The Afrobeats space has been set ablaze this week following some highly controversial remarks made by American rapper Fat Joe and Jamaican dancehall veteran Buju Banton. The cross-continental drama has not only sparked outrage among fans but has drawn a direct, venomous response from Nigerian Afro-fusion star BNXN.

The Spark: Fat Joe’s Bold Claims

The controversy began to brew during a recent episode of the Joe and Jada podcast on April 22, 2026, which featured Buju Banton as a guest. During the sit-down, Fat Joe made two major claims that instantly triggered the African music community:

• The Origin of Afrobeats: Fat Joe explicitly stated, “Jamaica started Afrobeats. Even though everything comes from Africa.” Buju Banton notably did not correct this historical inaccuracy, instead steering the conversation toward how reggae and dancehall influenced other genres.

• The “Buju” Name Change: Fat Joe took personal credit for BNXN (formerly known as Buju) changing his stage name in 2022. He recalled addressing BNXN during his time hosting The Wendy Williams Show, referring to him as a “fake guy in Africa using the Buju name.” Joe claimed, “I dissed him on TV… shut him down, he changed his name. I told him there is only one Buju Banton.”

BNXN’s Explosive Response

BNXN, never one to shy away from defending his artistry , took to X (formerly Twitter) on April 23, 2026, to deliver a scathing response.

Directly addressing the podcast’s narrative and the sheer audacity of the claims, BNXN tweeted:

“The hate in the your heart and your misinformation about African music and its artists is why your chromosomes are all fucked up. Educate yourself bozo.”

The heavy-hitting tweet immediately went viral, cementing BNXN’s stance against what many see as a deliberate attempt to undermine the African origins of a globally dominating genre, as well as an attack on his personal brand.

A History of Tension

This recent clash is not an isolated incident when it comes to Buju Banton’s relationship with the Nigerian music scene. Industry watchers will recall that the tension has been simmering for a few years:

• The Drink Champs Interview (2024): Buju Banton previously drew the ire of Nigerians when he appeared on the Drink Champs podcast, accusing Afrobeats artists of stealing from Jamaican music without giving proper credit. He controversially claimed that the genre lacked substance and would inevitably fade over time.

• The Rebranding to BNXN (2022): While Fat Joe claims his television “diss” forced the name change, the reality on the ground was different. BNXN originally stated that his 2022 transition from “Buju” to “BNXN” (pronounced Benson, derived from his real name Daniel Etiese Benson) was for unique branding purposes and to avoid trademark confusion and algorithm overlap on streaming platforms.

As the debate rages on across social media, the Nigerian music ecosystem stands united. Afrobeats is an undeniably West African export, pioneered by legends like Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and elevated by a new generation of stars like BNXN who refuse to let outsiders rewrite their history.

Fat Joe calls out BNXN over his former stage name This short clip captures the exact moment from the podcast where the American rapper claims credit for the Nigerian artist’s rebranding alongside Buju Banton.

Citations & Reference links

Fat Joe speaks with Buju Banton, calling out Buju BNXN

Buju Banton on Drink Champs (Youtube)