Genres · Afro & Latin
Afrobeats
West African pop: bright drums, sweet melodies, a swing that makes you move.
- Tempo, BPM
- 95–115
- Where it started
- Nigeria and Ghana, 2000s
What it sounds like
Pop from Nigeria and Ghana, mixing local rhythms with dancehall, hip-hop and R&B. Bright percussion, sweet sung hooks and a relaxed swing. Not the same as 70s Afrobeat, Fela Kuti's long jazz-funk jams.
Hear it
Rema, “Calm Down”
One of the biggest afrobeats songs ever. That easy swing is the genre.
2022 · Posted by Rema · Open on YouTube
Listen for
- A swinging, syncopated drum pattern
- Sweet, sung hooks, often in English and Pidgin
- Light guitars and synths, lots of space
Go if
You want something warm and danceable with songs you can hum along to.
Hear it this week
2 nights- DJ nightHalloween Night SpecialKampai · Pia B, Chelsea Tierra +2
Fri
30
- DJ nightDream House After DarkPolilya · Dos Roque, Euri +1
Fri
30
Nights with a DJ who plays afrobeats, from the venues' posts.
DJs who play it
6
Close cousins
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