Afrobeat vs Afrobeats – What’s The Difference?

Afrobeat Vs Afrobeats ?

In truth, there is no “Afrobeats” genre. Only Afrobeat, created by Fela Kuti, and passed on through generations as an African identity. Pop music in Africa, by Africans, for the world is “Pop Music”

These days the term ‘Afrobeat’ has gotten a new meaning internationally, with the penetration of African pop music, and the widespread need for international pop acts to lean on it for inspiration, and new direction.
Wizkid collaborated with Drake and Kyla for the chart-topping song ‘One Dance’ which has co-production contributions from DJ Maphorisa and Sarz. Alicia Keys’ return to mainstream music with her single ‘In common’ has been touted to have drum elements of Nigerian Afrobeat Music. So also have countless materials from rappers and pop acts being fused with sonic elements originating from the shores of the Black Continent.

Nigerian Afrobeat Music Defines The Sound Of Africa

I’m sure some of you agree with me that Nigerian Afrobeat Music is defining the African Sound.

The first things that get to you when you touch down in Lagos are the humidity, the heat and the sound of Nigerian Afrobeat Music bumping in cars and shops. While you’re caught up in traffic, you can obviously notice the billboards with Nigerian local artists on them all over the city. There’s a lot of energy like no other within this buzzing city of approximately 20 million people that not only churns out the music but attracts aspiring musicians from all over Nigeria.

When the originator of Nigerian Afrobeat, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, first came up with Afrobeats music back in late 60s Nigeria, no one would have ever foreseen or predicted the rise of West African music to its current form and state. In the past couple of years, the infant sound of Africa has managed to travel beyond borders and boundaries: not just entertaining listeners alone, but by creating a sense of pride about the continent. First there was music from the Congo, with rhumba spearheading the music scene in Africa, then came makossa from Cameroon, kwaito from South Africa, highlife from Ghana – and now, Nigerian Afrobeat Music (also known as Naija beats) from Nigeria.

7 Songs To Begin Your Afrobeat Music Addiction

Need a few songs to help kickstart your Afrobeat Genre Journey? this short list should suffice.

It’s No Doubt That Afrobeat Music is having a moment.

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The overly popular (and diverse) music bubbling out of Africa has caught the ears of not only those in the African continent, but the diaspora as ably, spawning collaborations along as well as popular artists along in the midst of Drake and Machel Montano. Essayist Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah once said that Bobby Shmurda’s Shmoney dance “collapsed Flatbush to the islands to Africa in 15 seconds.” Well, Afropop music is sending that ancestral energy back across the Atlantic and the result is refreshingly defining.

6 Most Popular African Afrobeats Dance Steps

Get Exposed To Some Of The African Afrobeats Dance

Look… I’m a horrible dancer myself.. No doubt.. But I make African afrobeat sounds that make you dance! Hehe… Just thought I’d Share this piece for y’all to nibble on in case you wanna know how some of these African Afrobeats Dance Steps came into Existence.. So.. Read On…

Azonto

The Azonto Dance Originally Originated from Ghana,

The azonto dance burst prominence in 2011, and is believed to originate from the traditional kpanlogo dance. Azonto dance moves imitate our everyday activities and often it represents the intentions of the dancer whether that be grooming oneself, swimming, etc. Azonto has become increasingly popular, helped along by various artists such as Wizkid, Iyanya, R2bees, and more.

The African Afrobeat Festival

The African Afrobeat Festival / AB FEST is an annual music festival held during the penultimate weekend in August.
The event usually takes place at Barking Park in East London and the said arena is also known to be the central hub of African culture, and most importantly the increasing growth of the sound of afrobeats music in a European country.