“My sisters call me ‘bush’ because of my Nigerian accent” – Jidenna

TVC E. Nigerian born American pop singer, Jidenna, in an interview with newsmen has revealed why his siblings refer to him as a bush boy because he has Nigerian accent. He spoke about his love for Nigeria, and how much love he gets in return from his birth country.

He also shared more on the rise of Afrobeat and its derivative sounds from Nigeria. He recognizes its growth, and admits that it is positive for the continent.

“I have been waiting for it my whole life. Afrobeats didn’t exist in this form when I was younger. But just to have a sound that comes from the African continent, especially Nigeria, and now the whole world says that’s cool now. I’ve said this before, being teased for being African when you are little. I came with a very thick accent. Even my sisters were saying ‘you are bush. The way you talk is so bush. The way I pronounced all my words. So I will change how I spoke. Now, the people that get teased, have become the cool people that everybody want to be.

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That’s what this Afrobeats movement is showing. It’s the beginning of a larger movement for Nigeria, for Africa to move into the world’s spotlight, be respected, be more understood, be appreciated for what we bring. It’s starting with music and dance, but it’s gonna expand to everything. To me, that’s what this signifies; it’s the beginning of a turning point.”