Music for the soul
By Shirley Bidali
The African continent has 57 countries, each with their own cultures, languages, traditions and beliefs yet the one thing that connects Africans is music. Be it a wedding ceremony, a funeral, or a simple gathering, music is the ingredient that keeps the good vibrations going on.
African music in the last few years has topped billboard charts across the world, the demand for African artists and African music in the world stage have become increasingly popular. Genre’s such as Afro beat, Amapiano, and bongo are the leading genres in African music.
Nigerian music specially, has put African music on the world map with artists such as Burna Boy aka African Giant, who has enormous successes in his collaborations with international sensations such as Sam Smith, Stormzy, Jorja Smith and various other artists.
However, African music is more than just the lyrics, it’s the beat, the tempo, the ambience that it creates.
Amapiano is a genre that originates from South Africa, it is a vibrant mix of deep house music and jazz music with a beat that is sure to get you up on your feet and dancing all your troubles away.
Afro beat, on the other hand, can turn an ordinary cloudy day into a summer night. Afro beat predominately comes from West Africa combined with Jazz and funk music. Its groovy vibe instantly leaves you feeling energetic and enthusiastic. Recently, Afro beat got its well-deserved recognition thanks to Beyoncé, who is one of the world’s biggest recording artists of all time. Her album The Gift, which was a soundtrack for the most recent Lion King movie, was a huge success where she collaborated with top African artists, where each song made it to the billboard charts with enormous sales.
African music is not only catchy, but it allows listeners to escape, even just for a moment, and truly take in the rhythm and the beat. It connects people both old and young, as music plays a key role in African culture.
African music is a vibration that is spreading to the world, its frequency is one that exudes joy and happiness. So if you are beset with gloom and need something to lighten up your mood, give Afro beat a chance.