The rise and rise of Afrobeats

Tony Allen invented it in the 70s. Trendsetters like Phiona Okuma are spreading the word about its contemporary version. The Afrobeat.

Last Sunday, DJ Edu presented The Rise and Rise of Afrobeats, a fast-paced music documentary on BBC 1Xtra, bringing you everything you need to know about this exciting and quickly emerging African music genre.

“Afrobeats is a generalisation of all African music.” (Afrobeat DJ)

“Afrobeats is music with an African attitude and tons of swagger, made strictly for dancing.” (DJ Edu)

“What you have to understand about South African house music is that it’s sexier than what you typically hear from Europe. Because in the way that it’s made, you know it’s made for dancing. Just in the way that it’s produced it’s almost like it’s made for that 3am in the club deep house experience. ” Okumu continues: “I think it’s the more left brain style of house music. And because Africa as a whole is becoming a hotter topic of conversation, that then makes house music from Africa a little bit more relevant to the pop culture conversation than it ever was before.”

Phiona Okumu (AfriPopMag).