What is afrobeats?
Afrobeats is contemporary West African pop: warm vocals, rolling percussion and melodies built to be sung back. It is the international pulse of many nights out.
Where it comes from
Afrobeats grew out of West Africa, especially Nigeria and Ghana, and became a global sound. Do not confuse it with Afrobeat, the older style created by Fela Kuti: afrobeats, with an s, is the modern pop genre.
What it sounds like
- A mid-tempo groove with syncopated percussion.
- Catchy vocal hooks, often sung in English, pidgin and local languages.
- Warm, melodic production that works as well on a floor as on a beach.
Why it fills a floor
The hooks are easy to follow and the groove is easy to move to, so a whole room can sing and dance together. DJs often use afrobeats as the connecting layer of a night.
Afrobeats at Cangga
It sits next to amapiano, shatta, reggaeton, baile funk and afro house. The music page lists reference artists; each event page lists who is actually playing.
Questions
Is afrobeats the same as Afrobeat?
No. Afrobeat is the older style created by Fela Kuti. Afrobeats, with an s, is the modern West African pop sound.
Where does afrobeats come from?
From West Africa, mainly Nigeria and Ghana, and it is now played worldwide.
Can I hear afrobeats in Canggu?
Yes. Cangga plays afrobeats with five other sounds on one floor.