Afrobeat

This article is about the 1960s genre defined by Fela Kuti. For the 21st century genre of West African pop music, see Afrobeats.

Afrobeat
Stylistic origins
Cultural origins1960s, Nigeria
Typical instruments
[citation needed]
Derivative forms
Regional scenes
  • Nigeria

Afrobeat (also known as Afrofunk[1][2]) is a West African music genre, fusing influences from Nigerian (such as Yoruba and Igbo music) and Ghanaian (such as highlife) music, with American funk, jazz, and soul influences.[3] With a focus on chanted vocals, complex intersecting rhythms, and percussion,[4] the style was pioneered in the 1960s by Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Fela Kuti, who popularised it both within and outside Nigeria. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most "challenging and charismatic music performers."[5]

Distinct from Afrobeat is Afrobeats, a combination of sounds originating in West Africa in the 21st century. This takes on diverse influences and is an eclectic combination of genres such as hip hop, house, jùjú, ndombolo, R&B, soca, and dancehall.[6][7][8][9][10][11] The two genres, though often conflated, are not the same.[7][8]

Seun Kuti during an Afrobeat performance
Seun Kuti during an Afrobeat performance[10]
  1. ^ "Afropop Worldwide | Mark LeVine: Ghana's Afro-Funk History". Afropop Worldwide. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Return to the shrine : Fela Kuti's legacy inspires an Afro-funk revival". d.lib.msu.edu. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  3. ^ Staff (16 July 2021). "Guide to Afrobeat Music: A Brief History of Afrobeat". Masterclass. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  4. ^ Grass, Randall F. "Fela AnikulaThe Art of an Afrobeat Rebel". The Drama Review: TDR. MIT Press. 30: 131–148.
  5. ^ "Fela Kuti", Wikipedia, 11 November 2023, retrieved 13 November 2023
  6. ^ Khamis, Laura (October 2019). "8 Afrobeats collaborations linking the UK with Africa". Red Bull. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  7. ^ a b Scher, Robin (6 August 2015). "Afrobeat(s): The Difference a Letter Makes". HuffPost. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  8. ^ a b Starling, Lakin. "10 Ghanaian Afrobeats Artists You Need To Know". The Fader. Archived from the original on 4 June 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  9. ^ Phillips, Yoh. "WizKid Affiliate Mr Eazi's Journey From Tech Startup to Afrobeats Stardom". DJBooth. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  10. ^ a b Khan, Ahmad (21 September 2017). "A Conversation with the Queen of Afrobeats: Tiwa Savage". HuffPost. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  11. ^ Smith, Caspar Llewellyn (23 June 2012). "I'm with D'Banj". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.