Afrobeats has become a cultural phenomenon in recent years, uniting people all over the world with its resonant rhythms. With chart-topping tunes and wildly popular dance movements, the genre’s popularity has soared beyond only music.
Afrobeats is a powerful statement of blackness and a celebration of African heritage. Its alluring tones act as a link, uniting black people all across the world and serving as a reminder of their shared history, tribulations, and victories.
Beyond its musical limitations, Afrobeats has a significant cultural impact. With the help of events like Afro Nation and AfroFuture, the African Diaspora can now connect with their roots and embrace the diversity of African culture.
Additionally, the 2022 Black Star Line Festival and the annual“Detty December” celebrations in major African cities have grown in popularity and become destinations for people from the diaspora who want to take part in the celebrations of life, music, and culture. These contagious rhythms and energizing dancing motions are now the trends of the moment.
Here are six of the Diaspora’s well-known Afrobeats songs to add to your playlist.
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Rema: Charm
If listening to Afrobeats songs is one of your favorite things to do you sure have heard the phrase, “see body oh,” which happens to be one of the catchphrases of the year. That lyric was delivered by Nigeria’s very own Rema. The song exemplifies the Calm Down hit singer as a hitmaker, and an accomplished Afrobeats artiste to come out of the West African nation.
Omah Lay: Reason
Reason is a reflective song on mental health and how it manifests in young people. The song is included in the deluxe edition of Omah Lay’s impending classic, Boy Alone. Omah Lay, one of the most intriguing musicians in Afrobeats history is a skilled songwriter who has shown this mastery throughout his body of work.
Kcee: Ojapiano
Kcee’s Ojapiano, which was derived from the Igbo (a tribe in Nigeria) flute known as Oja, caused a real sensation in the first half of the year. The song also suggests the possibility of focusing on traditional elements of one’s culture to offer a novel viewpoint on the range of pop music.
BNXN ft. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez: GWAGWALADA
Gwagwalada is a star-studded project. Kizz Daniel, the Buga hit singer, begins the song with dramatic ad-libs until it transforms into a dance-ready piece of ear pleasure. The melody of BNXN’s distinctive voice, while Seyi Vibez, a Nigerian breakout star, then delivers a brief but lovely verse.
Joeboy: Duffel Bag
Joeboy has been on a tremendous run and comes in hard with Duffle Bag, a classic feel-good song about turning up for your partner. Warm bass rhythms and strings breathe life into the sound, giving the song Joeboy’s trademark breezy lyrics and bringing the record to life.
Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, and Young Jonn: Stamina
It should come as no surprise that when Afrobeats hitmakers collaborate on a single, everything is comes together beautifully. Tiwa Savage hasn’t released many singles since the Water & Garri album, but she enlists Young Jonn and Ayra Starr for this much-awaited song. Her confident vocals serve as the pre-hook, Jonn’s captivating crooning is paired with Ayra’s dynamic rhythm, and Magicksticks’ production brings it all together flawlessly.