When you hear the words “Afrobeat Artists“, the first thing that should come to your mind is Fela Anikulapo Kuti. This Nigerian musician may not be the inventor of Afrobeat but he is the most popular exponent of this style of music. Fela Ransome-Kuti (that is his original name) was born into an aristocratic family in Western Nigeria during the colonial era. He studied music in a British university and after graduation; he returned to Nigeria and formed his own band.

Afrobeat and the Fela Connection

Many people recognized Fela as the originator of Afrobeat but the man refused to take all the credit alone. According to him, there would be Afrobeat without Tony Allen. Allen was Fela’s principal drummer for 20 years and his drums played a key role in developing Afrobeat into an abiding genre of African music.

What exactly is Afrobeat?

Afrobeat is a complex amalgam of jazz, Ghanaian highlife, traditional West African rhythms and funk. The major characteristics of this style of music are horns, talking drums and the saxophone. Contemporary musicians have modified Afrobeat but in Fela’s era, this style of music featured a large band with many instruments deployed by the musicians. Fela’s version of Afrobeat featured two baritone saxophonists, two bassists playing at the same time and two rhythm guitars. Add the drums and other African instruments and you get rich and cultural music with strong political messages.

Afrobeat Artists in Nigeria, Fela enjoys recognition as the undisputed king of Afrobeat. However, in Nigeria and beyond, a number of younger and not so young musicians have continued the keep Afrobeat alive. These musicians include ones below.

Femi Kuti

He is Fela’s first son and the crown prince of Afrobeat. He plays the same brand of music his father played with some modifications. He also runs the Fela shrine and collaborates with his sister Yeni Kuti and younger brother Seun Kuti to organize the annual “Felabration” (a celebration of Fela’s life and times)

African China

This Nigerian musician grew up in Lagos and was influenced by Fela’s music. Like Fela, he sings Afrobeat in the Nigerian “Pidgin English”. His songs are usually political because he does not see why should sing about “bees and birds and trees when there are serious political issues in the land”.

Other Afrobeat Artists

Other Afrobeat musicians in Nigeria include Timaya, Duncan Mighty, Whizkid, Yemi Alade and Tiwa Savage. Nigeria is not the only country with a large number of Afrobeat musicians. There are Afrobeat singers in Ghana and other parts of West Africa. These musicians keep the Afrobeat flag flying and ensure that this style of music continues to grow.