Afrobeats have entered the mainstream realm of music in recent years, and musicians are revolutionising the sound of music.
The roots of the Afrobeats genre trace back to the vibrant cultural tapestry of West Africa. Pioneered in the 1960s and 1970s by the ‘Father of Afrobeat’, Fela Kútì created a fusion of West African rhythm, funk, hip-hop and jazz of Afrobeat which has captivated listeners ever since. Fela’s music holds the voice of many through his songs, reflecting his socio-political activism by addressing societal issues in his songs while creating a sound where listeners can take the dancefloor.
Fela’s sons, Femi and Seun Kuti have carried their father’s legacy and continue to make music with Afrobeat rhythm. They have infused their own musical characteristics, such as an increase in instrumentals like Femi’s use of his saxophone, into the genre yet still maintained the core elements Fela and his band created. From this, the genre began to spread across their home of Nigeria and over the borders into Europe before the Afrobeat started grooving globally.
With the surge of Afrobeat riding into the 2010s, the popularity of the feel-good genre provides a bridge for the African diaspora to connect with their cultural home in various places, whether it be enjoying it privately or on the dancefloor – it’s a rhythmic link that ties people to home. Afrobeats has had a significant impact on reshaping the perception of African culture, with its ability to capture the spirit and celebrate African identity through its meaningful lyrics, pulsating beats, and infectious melodies.
From the fusion of more genres, there has been an addition of the extra ‘s’. Afrobeat’s influence extends beyond its genre and has entered into the dance and pop realm, and is now referred to as Afrobeats, which resonates with contemporary audiences all over the world and has blended different cultures across the West. Many Afrobeats artists have mastered the art of blending other popular genres, such as Hip-Hop and R&B, together. The sonic landscape of the ever-evolving genre blends traditional sounds with contemporary elements, which has contributed highly to its global success, which can be seen through the rise of a new generation of Afrobeat musicians, such as Wizkid and Burna Boy, whose music has amassed millions of streams worldwide.
“Since the Afrobeats movement started, it has had a much greater impact and has given us a way of seeing Africa, with its colours, life, the joy of living, dancing, our way of being, we want to celebrate life despite our difficulties,” says Jack, the founder of Afrotonic Vibes Music. “I think that the world, especially the new generation, doesn’t see Africa in the same sympathetic way as our predecessors. The new generation now looks at us with a great deal of admiration, which is why we say that music has the power to change the world. And Afrobeats has changed Africa in the eyes of the world, and I think this is only the beginning.”
“I was inspired to create Afrotonic Vibes Music because I wanted to create a platform to give visibility to unknown artists with no resources. I wanted to give them a helping hand with my money because I believe in their talent. I know a bit about the music business. I used to produce music, sing and dance, so music is part of me,” he says. Jack’s company’s work can be seen on his Instagram page, @Afrotonicvibes, where you can also find his music management, radio and Afrobeats discovery pages.
Afrobeats’ global rise has also been recognised by contemporary musicians from various genres, from pop to rap. It has encouraged them to create new and exciting sub-genres that have been introduced and are loved in the music world. As well as the rising stars of Afrobeats giving the spotlight to the genre, acclaimed Western musicians have also featured on many Afrobeat songs to celebrate the genre, such as Ed Sheeran on Burna Boy’s For My Hand or Selena Gomez on the hit song Calm Down by Rema which remained on Billboard’s Hot 100 for 57 weeks.
The next rising star to watch is Afrofusion artist Elmah. Elmah is a Nigerian-born singer and songwriter who released her single New Boy in Town in December. It has amassed over 10 million streams.
“My love for the African culture inspired me. Being able to blend all the elements of my culture into my sound,” says Elmah, as she describes what inspired her to begin making music. “Afrobeats is a genre that fuses elements of traditional African music, such as Highlife, Afrobeat, and Juju, with contemporary styles like hip-hop, dancehall, and R&B. What distinguishes Afrobeats is its infectious rhythms, vibrant melodies, and uplifting lyrics that celebrate African culture and identity,” she says when expressing how Afrobeats is distinguished between other genres.
When asked about the genre’s role in the UK, Elmah explains how Afrobeats plays a critical role in promoting cultural diversity by bringing people from different backgrounds through music.
“Afrobeats has had a significant impact on the mainstream by bringing fresh energy and diversity into the UK scene,” she says. The future of Afrobeats in the UK looks bright, with the genre continuing to gain popularity and influence across various music platforms and venues.”
Keep updated on Elmah’s musical journey through her Instagram, @Elmahmusic_.