Definition
Afrobeat is a genre that combines traditional Yoruba music, jazz, highlife, funk, and chanted vocals, intertwined with percussion and vocal styles, popularized in Africa in the 1970s. It is distinct from Afrobeats, a contemporary West African music genre blending hip hop, dancehall, and R&B. Afrobeat is known for its complex grooves and often political messages, pioneered by Nigerian artist Fela Kuti.
History
- The roots of Afrobeat trace back to the 1960s in Nigeria, where a melting pot of cultures and musical styles inspired a new sound. Nigerian multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti, who studied music in London and toured in the United States, played a crucial role in Afrobeat’s genesis. His exposure to jazz, funk, and the civil rights movement, particularly the Black Power movement, profoundly influenced his music.
- Fela Kuti returned to Nigeria in the late 1960s, forming the band Koola Lobitos, later known as Africa ’70. He transformed the musical landscape with his band, creating a sound that was a fusion of traditional Nigerian music with American funk and jazz. His club, the Afrika Shrine, became the epicenter of Afrobeat, drawing people from across Africa and the world.
- Afrobeat was not just a musical genre but also a political movement. Fela used his music to address issues such as corruption, poverty, and oppression in Nigeria and Africa. His lyrics were often provocative, leading to frequent clashes with the Nigerian government. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, his music gained a massive following.
Characteristics
- Musical Elements: Afrobeat is characterized by its large bands, often including numerous drummers, percussionists, horn players, guitarists, and vocalists. Its music is rhythmic and danceable, featuring complex, interlocking rhythms and a prominent horn section. Songs are typically long, giving musicians space for improvisation.
- Influence and Legacy: Fela Kuti’s influence on Afrobeat is immeasurable. After his death in 1997, his sons, Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti, continued his legacy, each carving out their own paths in the Afrobeat world. Beyond the Kuti family, artists and bands worldwide have been influenced by Afrobeat, infusing its elements into various music genres.
Modern Afrobeat
While traditional Afrobeat remains popular, a modern interpretation known as Afrobeats (with an “s”) has emerged, drawing influences from hip hop, dancehall, and R&B. This contemporary genre, popularized by artists like Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy, maintains the rhythmic and danceable elements of Afrobeat while incorporating more global musical influences.
Afrobeat is more than a genre; it is a cultural movement that has transcended its Nigerian origins to influence global music. Its pulsating rhythms, powerful messages, and the legacy of Fela Kuti continue to resonate, making Afrobeat a timeless testament to the power of music as a tool for change and expression.