Around the early 60s — late 90s, the African continent saw revolutionary eras in its culture and style of music. It was filled with evolutions of music and the formation of what would later become cultural themes and traditional music of different cultures from around the African continent.
With sounds & styles from different genres:
From the sound of jazzy horns to multiple guitars in the genre known as Highlife which originally had its roots in the West African country now known as Ghana. Down to the mixture of guitars and jazzy horns alongside more African percussive elements and lush African vocal performances that formed the genre known as Highlife Jazz/Afro-soul.
“Highlife Music”/ “Highlife Jazz/Afro Soul”[see here]
To the era of African music fused with pop and termed “African Pop” championed by South African legends such as Brenda Fassie, Miriam Makeba, and others, the African continent also saw a revolutionary era in Afro-pop and afro soul
“Afro-pop & Afro Soul’ [see here]
To the uptempo drums, subtle flutes, and the ever melodious thrills of traditional guitar riffs in the Igbo Highlife genre (from Eastern Nigeria).
”Igbo Highlife Music” [see here]
To the cultural blend by the Yoruba ethnic group that added cultural drums & percussions such as the infamous talking drums which later on formed the genre known as Jùjú Music (Western Nigeria)
“Jùjú Music” [see here]
Down to the era of redefined highlife jazz, funk, with more horns-centered, electric pianos, heavily percussive African based drum-style, and various African chants, which were mostly themed around activism and speaking against bad governance, championed by Fela Anikulapo Kuti
This was known as “AFROBEAT”. [see here]
In the later years (the early 2000s — 2010) African music would later be fused, and heavily influenced by other genres such as Hip-Hop, Pop, EDM, R&B, Reggae, Dancehall, and even other African genres such as ndombolo, soca, etc. The fusion has since then birthed a new style, It’s since then morphed, and grown into a modern style that encompasses a wide array of fusions but remains indigenous to the African culture. It has since then taken the name “AFROBEATS” (with the “S”)
Unlike the former genre AFROBEAT (without the “s”) championed by Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the later AFROBEATS (with the “s”) was a new and rather modern style influenced by other styles of music as aforementioned and championed by Nigeria, Ghana, and African diaspora in the UK.
Notable artists during this scene include: 2face(2baba), D’banj, Don Jazzy, Madmelon, Mo hits, Wande coal, Psquare, 9ice, Olu maintain, Awilo longomba, Da grin, R2bees, etc
This was the Genesis of “Afrobeats”. Their sounds were heavily synth based, and laced with african drums. It was the modern birthrock of what would later become the world renowned “Afrobeats” [see here]
Between the Years 2010s-2015, it yet evolved once again, and saw an unforgettable revolutionary era, this time with the breakout of notable artists such as Flavour, Wizkid, Davido, Fuse ODG, Ice Prince, Olamide, Phyno, Sarkodie, and many more who championed the sound. It was heavily fused and widely so diverse.
It was here that the African music scene became so diverse, and distinct, and began to adopt the name “AFROBEATS” [see here ]
It also furthered in 2015 and after with yet more diverse and bouncy sounds that shook the continent [see here]
Today, The now world-renowned, ever-growing genre AFROBEATS is taking the world by storm and has begun to influence western & different cultures around the globe. It is sure to continue to grow and morph as newer artists emerge, fusing their styles from different genres such as modern pop, trap, drill, EDM and so much more. [see here]
Without a doubt, now more than ever, It is undeniably evident that a new era is soon upon us, and many of us like myself, cannot wait to witness the greatness that is to come.
