Q. What does the term ‘Afrobeats’ mean?
A. Afrobeats is a Music Genre – its birth was a combination of traditional Yoruba music from Nigeria, jazz, highlife, funk , fused with vocal styles. It was made famous by the late great Fela Kuti and Tony Allen.
More recently its bolted many forms of modern music onto its sound and i have heard it described as “the new sound of the UK Underground” also “a new global pop phenomena” etc etc. To me its just great great music that has been embraced by young London but is appreciated and danced to by all races , the young and the old.
Q. Where did the music originate?
A.The term originated in Nigeria and Fela Kuti and Tony Allen were its leading exponents .
Q. How did you get into it?
A. I was born into it through my mum and dad as Ghanaian music was influenced by Fela kuti who created the afrobeat sound.
Q. What instruments does it use?
A. Any instruments can be used to make the Afrobeats sound.
Q. What three artists should I have heard of?
A. D’banj, Atumpan, May7ven
Q. What one song should I have heard of?
A. Oliver Twist
Q. Who’s your favourite artist personally?
A. Wow i have so many but at the moment D’banj
Q. Is Afrobeats sexy?
A. Extremely
Q. Is it misogynistic?
A. No way!!! women RULE the floor at Afrobeats gigs-our shows are packed with women and they rule -we love our women -full stop!
Q. What’s the lingo I should know?
A. You should know “Azonto ” which is the word used to describe the popular Afrobeats dance. Type in Azonto to youtube and you will see people from ALL over the world doing it.
Q. What should I be wearing?
A. Depends where your going ,more importantly dress for the occasion -For Afrobeats keep it colourful.
Q. How should I be dancing?
A. There are different dances that include the Azonto, the Alanta – as i said check out youtube – type in Azonto its easy
Q. What is the song Mr Endowed about?
A. Its about someone who is blessed !!!!
Q. What is an Afrobeats stage show like?
A. Afrobeats shows are pretty electric – There is always a mixture of live music and great DJ’s -we play the newest sounds and also pay homeage to some of the oldskool tracks-Our audiences are loud,friendly and dance for hours on end. It is fun…try it! lol
Q. Is it a help or a hinderance being slightly out of the mainstream?
A. It has its benefits – the benefits are that it has been allowed to develop under its steam and so the music that has made it through has been the music that the audiences love-It has not been dictated by labels which is the way it should be early on.Luckily my radio show has been successful ,so its allowed me to tour across the UK.The Irish are big Afrobeats fans as well as Manchester Birmingham Bristol Northampton its incredible.
Its only disadvantages are mainly that not everyone gets it or understands Afrobeats but i know they soon will.
Q. What’s one fact that would suprise me about Afrobeats, or an Afrobeats artist?
A. Afrobeats is listened to ALL over the UK- Is that Afrobeats Artists are just like any other artists they have the same drive ,vision and passion for their music.
Q. Where can I hear Afrobeats regularly in London?
A. On Choice fm Radio Station Saturday 10pm to 12pm, Every Friday Azonto Fridays @ Club Legacy Finchley Road swiss cottage. Proud 2 Nr the O2 every few months Afrobeat Sundays check http://www.abrantee.com/ for details
Q. What makes your party better than anyone else’s?
A. Well that my friend you will have to come down and experience!! You make up your own mind lets just say the Afrobeats partys deliver whats on the tin the biggest Afrobeats in the mix with the Club bangers – and the atmosphere is electric. AZONTO!!!
See the full interview here by Innokzniel Davies.
Some Afrobeats
R2Bees Ft. Wande Coal- Kiss Your Hand
D’ Prince ft. D’Banj – Give it to Me
Here are some other examples:
2. Lagbaja- Never too far away
5. Seun Kuti& Egypt 80 – Many Things
11. P. Square – No One like you
15. Femi Kuti – Beng Beng Beng
17. Midnight Crew- This Fuji Thing
19. 9ice – Gonso Aso
24. Fela Kuti – Teacher Dont Teach Me Nonsense
26. Sarkodie ft. E.L – U go Kill Me
27. King Sunny Ade – E Kilo F’omo Ode
30. Skales – Mukulu
31. 5Five- Move Back
32. Ice Prince Ft. Brymo – Oleku
34. Ice Prince ft. Gyptian – Magician
35. Fuse Odg ft. Tiffany – Azonto
36. Mista Silva ft. Skob,Flava & Kwarmz
39. E.M.E feat Wizkid, Skales & Banky W. – Baddest Boy
AFROBEAT WEBSITES
AFROBEAT WEBSITES
1. Under Da Rock
Multi media site on the latest entertainment events, whether that be via photographic coverage of parties, flyers of upcoming events, artists interviews and new music uploads.
2. Afrijamz
Afrijamz is a global body of media entertainment from around the globe focused on bridging the gap between the unfortunately narrow minded and limited view of the African entertainment industry and the rest of the world.
http://www.afrijamz.com/index.php
3. Not Just Ok
Voted Nigeria’s #1 Music Blog/Website 2010 &11
4. Nigerian DJ’s
Naija DJ’s is an elite coalition of the hottest Nigerian DJ’s around the world.
5. DJ Mighty Mike
Afrobeat Blog by a Nigerian DJ based in the U.S.
6. Shakara
Shakara is an online platform that supports the increasing presence of African music and artists globally through a range of services including digital promotion, retail and marketing.
7. Naija Hip Hop Music
Nigerian Hip Hop site that promotes the culture in America by releasing interviews and new music on the site.
http://www.naijahiphopmusic.com
8. Timmy Naija
Music site which allows you to download the latest tracks from established and up and coming Afrobeat artists.
9. Naijamayor
Nigerian entertainment site covering everything from the latest gossip to the latest songs.
10. jaguda.com
A blogging stie covering fashion, music and other various areas of african culture.
11. Okay Africa
New cultural guide to all the latest music/culture/politics coming from Africa and the DIaspora.
http://www.okayafrica.com/about/
12. This is Africa
This is Africa is a media organisation that brings Africa and the west closer together.
13. Bella Naija
An informative entertainment portal.
14. Gidi lounge
Afrobeat blog site.
http://www.gidilounge.com/?cat=6
15. Radio PalmWine
Website that feature afrobeat music, fashion etc.
16. Naija Music
Entertainment platform for promotion and the media network.
http://naijamusic.net/index.php
17. The African Hip Hop Blog
Showcases the talents of African artists from all over the world.
18. Afrobeats In Da City
Afrobeat blog site via tumblr
http://afrobeatsindacity.tumblr.com/
19.Afrktainment Media
Blog site on African entertainment
http://www.afriktainmentmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
20. Afrogist
African channel over the net.
21. DATE360
Website focusing on the Hip Hop culture, downloads and latest songs
22. Elibim Entertainment
Website focusing on general entertainment.
http://www.elibent.blogspot.co.uk/
23. Gbedutainment
Entertainment site covering the latest activity in African music, Nolly & Ghollywood activity.
24. Naija Music TV
Naija Music TV is a website owned by ToksVisions Productions and is dedicated in bringing you the best in Nigerian Music.
25. We Plug GOOD Music
We Plug GOOD Music is a World Music Blog that’s aimed at showcasing and featuring emerging music from all around the world.
http://www.wepluggoodmusic.com/
26. Modern Ghana
Ghanian entertainment site covering everything about politic, sports, music and culture.
27. Ghana Music
Multi media content service provider and the largest electronic source of information on the Ghanian music scene.
28.Hot Block Music
Nigerian music site bringing the latest music and videos.
http://www.hotblockmusic.com/#!home/mainPage
29. Nigeria Showbiz
Media site, covering news, music and lifestyle.
http://www.nigeriashowbiz.com/
30. Nigeria Music Movement
Site steaming music, performances and news on afrobeat artists.
http://www.nigeriamusicmovement.com/
