As it stands now, Afrobeats has grown to become one of the most sought-after genres in the world with a lot of rising stars and music legends coming together to contribute to the new sound.
This discovery has presented an opportunity for individuals and organizations to make money while ensuring that the genre survives and is sustained all over the world for music lovers.
With the strength of its contagious rhythms and beautiful melodies, the Afrobeats genre unites people with its unique fusion of various indigenous African and Western genres.
Afrobeats has also been able to bring people from all walks of life to celebrate the hearty genre through musical festivals and events across the world.
This invariably means organizers of such events are going to make money to support the economies of the countries in which these festivals and gatherings are held.
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Most of these festivals and events are held annually and they bring together millions of Afrobeats lovers to explore, network with various people and use the opportunity to tour these countries as well.
Here are the top five Afrobeats festivals and events that patrons of the genre across the world participate in every year and what these events are doing for the countries in which they are organized.
FELABRATION: Felabration is an annual week-long celebration of Afrobeats music, art, and activism. The event was set up to honour the life of the Nigerian Afrobeats legend and a revered human rights activist, Fela Kuti. The festival was conceived in 1998 by Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti. It is also one of Nigeria’s largest music festivals. This year’s edition carries the theme: “Question Jam Answer”, drawing inspiration from the classic record released by Fela in 1972. The Felabration event also features Afrobeats dance competitions, “Dress Fela” fashion competition, artwork exhibitions, and a musical concert with a star-studded lineup of Afrobeats stars. Felabration is slated for October 9th–15th at the New Afrika Shrine, NERDC Rd, Agidingbi 101233, Ikeja, Lagos.
Afro Nation Ghana: One of the World’s Biggest Afrobeats Festivals happens around the world and climaxes in Ghana during the Christmas period. Afro Nation Ghana follows the hugely successful Portugal beach festival this summer. The festival usually has a tight list of Afrobeats artistes from around the world like Nigeria’s Asake, Rema, Davido and Burna Boy. It also features most top Ghanaian Afrobeats artistes like Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, KiDi, King Promise and Black Sherif among others. Over the years, Afro Nation festival has brought droves of Afrobeats lovers from all over the world to Ghana. Dates and venue for this year’s Afro Nation festival in Ghana are yet to be confirmed.
UberAfro Cruise: UberAfro Cruise is the biggest Afrobeats and Amapiano festival on a cruise that will take place on Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas vessel from November 21 -25, 2023. The inaugural cruise will depart from Miami, Florida, and stop in beautiful Ocho Rios, Jamaica, before returning to Miami. One of the main attractions of UberAfro Cruise is the lineup of entertainers. From established Afrobeats stars and Amapiano artistes, the roster is jam-packed with African talent and stars from the diaspora.
Afro Nation Nigeria: One of the world’s biggest Afrobeats festivals, Afro Nation is yet to make its debut in Nigeria this year. The maiden event in Nigeria is slated for December 19 -20, 2023 at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos on 19 and 20 December. Nigerian Afrobeats superstar, Burna Boy will be headlining at the Afro Nation Nigeria edition. He will be joined by Nigerian compatriots Seyi Vibez, Flavour, British rapper JHus, and Ghana’s Black Sherif as the first set of artistes billed to thrill Afrobeats lovers.
Afrobeats to the World: This is an unwalled event that started in 2021 in Los Angeles, United States of America (USA), to sell African music and Afrobeats to the rest of the world. This Afrobeats festival brings together coloured people in the USA to party and enjoy good music from the Afrobeats and Amapiano genres.