The Rise Of The Afrobeat Genre
The rise of the Afrobeat genre
For many in the West the term Afrobeat might not be particularly familiar but the ebb and flow of the distinctive music with its often politically charged lyrics will be. One of the most fascinating things about the development of music is the constant borrowing and reinventing of ideas that spawns new genres. What’s so great about Afrobeat is that its roots are bound in both traditional African music particularly from the Niger Delta and from American Jazz which itself derives from African music. So the African Jazz music that took the world by storm in the early 1900’s and onwards returned back to its roots only to be reinterpreted and sent back around the world again.
The rise of Afrobeat was in no small part thanks to one man’s exceptional talents and prowess both as a musical performer and as a public speaker. His name was Fela Kuti and he was to Afrobeat what Bob Marley was to Reggae music, creating a powerful sound and image which millions of fans around the world would find accessible, fresh and exciting. If Bob Marley was the first “Third world superstar” then Fela was certainly the second.
Felas tragic death from complications as a result of AIDS have served to enshrine him in the hall of music gods who passed away far before their musical energy had worn out. Revered as a prophet whilst alive, his loyal following has only grown since his death and nowhere can this be seen more than in his homeland of Nigeria. Lagos alone has a statue, a stadium and a college named after their famous son.
Felas use of traditional African drumming coupled with modern instruments such as the saxaphone or in many cases an entire brass section started a movement which has has an influence on both African and Western pop music ever since. Whether its Peter Gabriels hit “SO” or Paul Simons grammy award winning “The Rhythm of the Saints” released in 1990 to great acclaim.
The influence of Afrobeat has continued into the new millennium on both side of the Atlantic with a wide range of music borrowing influence and feel from the early Afrobeat albums. Vampire Weekends 2008 single “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” references Afrobeat both sonically and verbally including in the lyrics a shout out to Peter Gabriel and his championing of African beats with a Western twist. In Britain, super group “The Good, The Bad and The Queen” led by Blurs Damon Albarn have none other than Fela Kutis drummer behind the kit.
As the internet age has dawned, a new generation has access to Afrobeat and a resurgence in interest in the old vinyl records of pioneers like Fela Kuti has boomed. Kids in America who weren’t part of the political struggles that shaped the sound of Afrobeat can now buy second hand stereos on gumtree or Hi-Fi Shark, or at a thrift shop.
Much as Ziggy Marley has continued his father’s musical legacy and adapted the sound to suit a modern audience, Femi Kuti continues to tour his father’s music and keep Afrobeat on the musical agenda across the globe.
