Afrobeat and Afrobeats are two different musical genres that have different artistic and historical roots.
Afrobeat is a politically charged and socially concerned music genre that combines indigenous African rhythms with jazz, highlife, and funk elements. It was popularized by Nigerian music icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Extended musical improvisations, intricate arrangements, and potent lyrics addressing social and political themes were hallmarks of Fela’s Afrobeat.
On the other hand, the more modern genre known as Afrobeats, which first appeared in the 21st century, is distinguished by the combination of dancehall, hip-hop, and electronic music components with traditional African rhythms. Even while Afrobeats keeps its African roots, the genre is more popular in modern music because it tends to focus on catchy melodies, straightforward structures, and a more danceable feel that appeal to a global audience.
Afrobeats icon, Davido, was on point during a short interview with US entertainment outlet, TMZ. During the interview he was able to articulate precisely, the differences between Fela’s Afrobeat and the current Afrobeats that is taking the world by storm.
