From a distinct sound in West Africa to a global music powerhouse, Afrobeats have undergone a remarkable transformation. Once a vibrant yet localized expression, it has evolved into a dominant cultural force that showcases the richness and complexity of African identity.
If you’ve been following our series, “A Decade of Rhythms,” which chronicles the history of Nigerian mainstream music, then this post will feel all too familiar.
Afrobeats: A Product of Innovation
Afrobeats emerged from a spirit of curiosity and experimentation. A fusion of rhythms indigenous to West Africa with Western genres like jazz and funk, and eventually expanding to embrace elements of blues, hip hop, and pop. What began as an organic blend has since matured into a continually evolving genre.
Long before the beloved Fela Kuti, there was a sound that was already thriving across Ghana, Nigeria, and neighboring countries. It was a sound rooted in percussion, flutes, and other locally crafted instruments. Early West African music varied by region, but was familiar. It was at its core celebratory, wrapped in storytelling and dance.
Afrobeats was born from this sound. Unbound by convention, it seamlessly morphed into numerous sub-genres across the continent, with each generation contributing new textures, rhythms, and ideas.
A Sound of Resistance and Expression
Nigerian multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti’s music evolved in the ‘70s. His unique blend of jazz, funk, and traditional Yoruba rhythms, what he called “Afrobeat,” became a vehicle for socio-political commentary. Through his lyrics, Fela took aim at government corruption and social injustice, drawing both national admiration and relentless state persecution. He was arrested over 200 times.
Later, artists like Shina Peters and Sunny Okosun brought their own interpretations to the Afrobeat sound, helping to embed it into the cultural mainstream.
Afrobeats Goes Global
The popularity of Afrobeats did not wane even after Fela’s passing in the ‘90s. Evolving into a broader, more eclectic soundscape. For years, its appeal remained largely regional. But everything changed in the 2010s.
With the influx of digital streaming platforms, the sound and the talents behind it were exposed to global audiences like never before.
Far from the political lyrics of Fela’s songs, the 2010s were more focused on creating universally appealing, danceable tracks. It wasn’t long before the milestones started rolling in. In 2011, D’banj’s “Oliver Twist” became the first Nigerian song to crack the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 9. Then Wizkid’s collaboration with Drake on “One Dance” in 2016 proved to be a catalyst, making him the first Nigerian artist to chart on and top the Billboard Hot 100. The rest, they say, is history.
Between 2017 and 2022, Afrobeats streams on Spotify grew by 550%, culminating in more than 13 billion streams in 2022 alone. On social media, songs like CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” peaked in user engagement, inspiring viral dance challenges on platforms like TikTok.
Collaborations That Changed Everything
One could argue that International collaborations were the secret weapon for Afrobeats’ global rise, citing songs like Ed Sheeran’s remix of Fireboy’s “Peru” or Justin Bieber’s remix of Wizkid and Tems’ “Essence”. While these collaborations indeed accelerated global breakthroughs, the songs were already successful in their own right.
“Peru” topped the UK’s Official Afrobeats Charts for four weeks and reached 75 million streams pre-remix. Similarly, “Essence” was the first Nigerian song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 before Bieber’s feature, and ultimately peaked at No. 9, becoming the most Shazamed song in the USA at the time..
Global recognition manifested through prestigious awards and dedicated categories. The American Music Awards, the Grammys, and the MTV VMAs have all added Afrobeats categories to their rosters in recent years.
So, Why Now?
Several factors contributed to the rise of Afrobeats internationally:
Digital Accessibility
The existence of global streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube has eliminated geographical barriers, allowing artists to reach millions with the click of a button. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have amplified this effect, with viral dance challenges and snippets of songs being tools used to introduce Afrobeats to younger audiences.
Innovative Sound and Catchy Rhythms
At its core, Afrobeats is rhythm-driven and danceable. Its vibrant melodies are steeped in West African musical traditions yet packaged with modern production techniques, appealing to listeners regardless of language.
Strategic Collaborations
As stated earlier, collaborations have been instrumental in the popularity of Afrobeats. Artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Tems, and Rema have strategically collaborated with international artists such as Drake, Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, and Selena Gomez.
Cultural Resonance
For the increasing number of Africans in diaspora, Afrobeats represents home. The language, storytelling, and fashion embedded in the music evoke feelings of nostalgia. It’s more than sound, it is identity. And increasingly, this authenticity resonates with audiences around the world.
We’ve certainly come a long way from Fela’s resistance anthems in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The influence of Afrobeats now extends beyond music to fashion, food, and even language. A sound that has evolved into one of Africa’s most powerful cultural exports.
