What is Afrobeat?

 

Afrobeat is a music genre that combines of elements of West African musical styles such as fuji music and highlife with American funk and jazz influences, with a focus on chanted vocals, complex intersecting rhythms, and percussion. The genre was developed in the 1960s by Fela Kuti, who is credited for pioneering and popularizing the style both within and outside Nigeria.

 

Who was the pioneer of Afrobeat?

Fela Kuti was known as “the King of Afrobeat”. Krizbeatz calls himself “the King of AfroDance”, the Nigerian music that has got millions dancing across Africa and the world. Fela began his career in music when he was just 11 years old. His first record, Lil Prinz, was recorded in 2001 in collaboration with Glorious Five, a group consisting of Balogun and his friends from church.

 

Many jazz musicians have been attracted to Afrobeat. From Roy Ayers in the 1970s to Randy Weston in the 1990. The new generation of DJs and musicians of the 2000s fell in love with both Kuti's material and other rare releases have made compilations and remixes of these recordings, twith contemporary producers and musicians like Brian Eno and David Byrne crediting Fela Kuti as an essential influence.

 

What is the difference between Afrobeat and afrobeats?

Afrobeat and Afrobeats are very different types of music. Afrobeat is the music genre developed by Nigerian musical icon Fela Kuti. This genre of music is a fusion of funk, highlife and jazz music. Afrobeats, also known as Afro-pop, Afro-fusion, is an umbrella term for contemporary pop music made in West Africa.

 

Who are the best Afrobeat producers?

Afrobeat has influenced so many producers, mainstream and underground - from Beyonce, Drake and other big pop names to Eon and Talking Heads. House music has it’s own Afrobeat influences - Femi Kuti, son of Fela, Roy Ayers, Manoo, Black Coffee, Pablo Fierro, DJ Maphorisa and many more carry it forwards in the modern era through Afro house and other South African inspired genres.

 

What bpm is Afrobeat?

Afrobeat generally plays around 95 bpm - 120 bpm. The rhythms are long and looping generally.

 

What labels are producing Afrobeat music?

Labels such Comet Records, Strut Records, R-I Records and Chocolate City Entertainment are globally acknowledged as the leading Afrobeat labels.