The gradual rise of Afrobeats

Afrobeats started in the 60s but was commercialized and made popular by Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The name Afrobeats came as a way to differentiate Fela Kuti music from the regular American music.

Fela songs includes 'Lady' 'Shakara' (1972), ' Water no get enemy' (1975) 'Beast Of No Nation' (1989) 'Sorrow Tears and Blood'(1977) 'Colonial Mentality' (1976), 'Ikoyi Blindness' (1976) 'Yellow Fever'(1971) 'Zombie'(1977) 'Look and Laugh'(1986) 'Minister follow follow' (1977). His albums includes 'Zombie' (1977), ' Teacher don't teach me nonsense'(1986) 'Shuffering and Shmiling' (1978) 'Expensive shit' (1975)

Although the Afrobeats genre have been growing since the early 90s, in the 20s there also came a stepping stone when artiste like 2face idibia won the MTV Eroupe Music Awards for 'Best African Act' in 2005, 'Best African Act' Kora Awards 2005, 'Best African Act' Channel O Music Video Awards 2005, 'Best African Act' MOBO Awards 2007, 'Best selling Nigerian Artist' World Music Awards, 2018, Monaco, Spain. 'Best African Act' Australian African Awards, 2008.

2face hits songs includes but are not limited to 'African Queen' this is perhaps 2face most popular song. This song is 16 years old already and it remains one of the most iconic love songs in the world.

'True love' the song is an award winning track from the album 'Grass 2 Grace' released in 2006.

'If love is a crime' ever since it release in December 8, 2006, this song made wave.

Another artist D'banj contributed to the rise of Afrobeats. In 2005, D'banj won the 'Most Promising Male Artist' at KORA Awards. In 2008, he won 'Best Artist of the year' and 'Best Male Artist' at the MTV Africa Music Awards. In 2014, he won the 'Best Selling African Artist' at World Music Awards.

His hit songs includes 'Oliver twist', the song was first released in UK on 11th of May, 2012, and debuted number nine on the UK Singles Chart.

'Fall in love' the song severs as a single from his third studio album'The entertainer' 2008. According to Africans reviews, the song earned D'banj national reputation.

'Scapegoat', this song was released September 16, 2010 and it gained massive plays in Nigeria and Africa. The song got so popular that it had a remix with American rapper Kanye West. The remix was released April 21, 2013.

Psquare also contributed to the rise of Afrobeats in 2008, they won 'Best Group' at MTV Africa Music Awards, 2010 they won 'Artiste of the year' KORA Awards.

Psquare popular songs includes but not limited to 'Temptation', it's a catchy hit from the album 'Get squared' released 2005 by square records

'Do me', the song is one of the smashing hit songs in their third studio album 'Game over' in 2007. The song became so popular few days after it release that, clubs, music shows, parties and other fun places won't be lit without it.

' Beautiful Onyinye', the song features a rap verse from American rapper Rick Ross. They recorded the song shortly after signing partnership deal with Universal Music Group.

'Alingo' the song was released as the lead single from the album 'Greatest Hits' (2013)and 'Double Trouble' (2014). It peaked number one on MTV Base official naija top 10 chart.

Other Artists like Femi Kuti, Lagbaja, 9ice, Wande Coal, Flavour, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade their bits to the rise of Afrobeats.

Despite all these achievements by these artists, Afrobeats really gained prominence in the international scene in 2016, when Wizkid and Drake made a song titled 'one dance'. The song reached number one the US music charts and became the summer anthem in the US and UK.

This paved way for numerous foreign artists like Chris Brown, Casanova, 6lack to experiment the sound and collaborate with the likes of Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Mr Eazi

In 2019, American music superstar, Beyonce picked Afrobeats artists like Tekno, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage among others for her album 'The Lion King'. She said "I wanted it to be authentic to what's beautiful about music in Africa"

In the Lion King Album, 'Brown skin girl' featuring Wizkid won a Grammy giving Afrobeats an edge. Also, the collaboration between Burna Boy and Diddy in 'Twice as tall' album won Burna Boy a grammy.

Currently the new generation artists like Rema, Fireboy, Ckay, Joeboy, Tems, Ruger, Omah lay, are doing wonders with Afrobeats, winning different awards, featuring foreign music artists and also performing at historical iconic event centres like the O2 arena.