Afrobeat is a multimillion-dollar music business in Nigeria that has helped place the country on the worldwide entertainment map. But, of course, it wasn’t always like this, especially in the 1980s and 90s, when the Nigerian music industry struggled to make an effect owing to the rush of foreign music overwhelming the market and Nigerian airways. However, those days are gone. and Africa’s music business now belongs to Nigeria, which I suppose is a badge of honour the country has earned thanks to Nigeria’s quality of music and artists. 
Afrobeat was born because of Highlife’s continued incorporation of Western influences over the years. As a result, Afrobeat is a music genre combining elements of African and Western styles of music to create a unique fusion of sound and culture. In the early 1970s, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, a Nigerian music icon, pioneered the genre by fusing traditional West African rhythms with psychedelic rock, funk, and jazz. Afrobeat is frequently associated with solid political consciousness and messages of liberation.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, young Nigerian and Ghanaian musicians popularized Afrobeats (with an s), which synthesized Western bashment/ dancehall, rap, EDM, and R&B with West African pop music. Afrobeats was a technique for creating upbeat, enjoyable, and energizing melodies intended to get the audience moving, unlike Afrobeats, which was political.
Afrobeats: An Overview of Its Past
Fela Anikulapo Kuti created Afrobeat by fusing Highlife, Free Jazz, and other contemporary musical styles with African harmonic and rhythmic concepts. In the early 1970s, he released this potent style (Afrobeat) with his Nigeria 70 band, which later became Africa 70. Kuti’s music ignited Afrobeat, and many African artists like, Tony Allen (Kuti’s former drummer), carried the torch forward.
Western artists like David Byrne and Brian Eno drew inspiration from Afrobeat’s 1980 seminal album Remain in Light. Among many artists influenced by Kuti’s musical style are his children, Femi and Seun Kuti, and contemporary Western bands like Antibalas, who won a Grammy.
Between the late 1990s and the middle of the 2000s, a new genre known as Afrobeats (with an s) emerged. These musical genres originated in Nigeria and Ghana and are now renowned worldwide. By 2011, Abrantee, a London-based DJ, released his Afrobeats with the Abrantes radio program, which increased the popularity of Afrobeats. He coined Afrobeats (with an s) to describe the entire genre of Ghanaian and Nigerian popular music.
Hip hop, dancehall, R&B, and electronic dance music are all incorporated into the West African-born genre known as Afrobeats. The songs’ rhythms are upbeat and catchy. However, unlike Fela’s earlier Afrobeat, most Afrobeats songs are not political. Instead, the lyrics frequently discuss relationships, love, personal achievement, and other friendly topics. From listening to Davido to Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Teni, Fuse ODG, Rema, and Wizkid, the audience is sure to get a feel for Afrobeats’ music.
The Nigerian Economy and Afrobeat
The music industry, particularly Afrobeat, is not immune to Nigerian youths’ efforts to capitalize on every business opportunity to generate employment. The generous compensation they received from streaming services, YouTube, social media platforms, live performances, and endorsement deals grew the employment rate. Wizkid, Burna Boy, Olamide, Phyno, and numerous other obscure Afrobeats artists have demonstrated this.
Here are several ways young Nigerians have used Afrobeat to create job opportunities.
Nigerian Important Export
Afrobeat is now the most valuable export for Nigeria. Since Fela’s time, Nigerian Afrobeat musicians have extensively toured, won awards, and performed at the forefront of the worldwide entertainment craze. Global music corporations like Sony and Universal Music Group have opened offices in Nigeria, making this musical genre one of the country’s most important exports. Young Nigerian musicians and the Nigerian music industry have gained enough recognition and reward for their creativity due to the worldwide reach of social media platforms, live concerts, and live streaming platforms.
Music Rankings
As a result of the worldwide demand for Afrobeats’ exhilarating sounds and genre, Nigerian music charts have enjoyed much success. Music charts have become widespread through extensive engagements and websites operated by many Nigerians. While Nigerians listen to their favorite songs, owners of music charts on websites such as Xclusivepop and other platforms earn money and increase their net worth. In addition, this forum employs the personnel required to support and maintain the music chart, thereby reducing the unemployment rate in Nigeria.
Collaboration with Record Labels
The collaboration between major record labels and Afrobeats artists has significantly expanded the genre’s fan base. The Nigerian music producer, Michael Collins Ajereh’s Mavin Record Label, is one such entity that has helped Afrobeats gain domestic popularity. Mavin, the largest record label in Nigeria, has already propelled over thirty artists to fame. In addition, Ayra Starr, Rema, Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, and Koredo Bello became well-known artists due to the label’s advertising.
International Collaboration of Artists
Collaboration between the world’s biggest music stars and Afrobeats musicians has increased the genre’s visibility. For example, Beyoncé did the unthinkable by collaborating with many Afrobeats artists, including Burna Boy and Wizkid, in her (2019) The Lion King: The Gift. And her ‘Brown Skin Girl’ video with Wizkid won the 2021 Grammy Award for Best Music Video.
Kidjo’s most recent album, Mother Nature (2021), also features many Afrobeats superstars like Mr. Eazi, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, and Rexxie. As a result, it was nominated for Best Album of Global Music. Kidjo’s selection of this music style illustrates how Afrobeats has evolved and has gained popularity in recent years.
Endorsements
Endorsement contracts by the Nigerian music industry have reduced poverty among Nigerian musicians. Due to the genre’s increasing popularity, many businesses have attempted to capitalize on the strong purchasing power of its fans by offering ambassadorial deals to musicians. From musicians to rappers, endorsement deals have significantly contributed to their rapid rise in wealth.
Concert Organizations
Most music performances are elaborate affairs with a single performer. On the other hand, Afrobeats’ performers and fans prefer a variety of musicians at smaller venues. These modifications provide numerous benefits. The increased flexibility allows many lesser-known artists to gain exposure, showcase their talent, and expand their fan base. In addition, instead of renting a venue individually, artists can save money by collaborating.
Employment Opportunities
Despite Nigeria’s high unemployment rate, the Afrobeats industry has been an unexpected source of employment opportunities. Afrobeats’ popularity has expanded employment opportunities, and as its youth seize these new opportunities, Nigeria moves closer to eradicating poverty. Many young Nigerians now have a new source of income because of the increased demand for people who work in the industry’s background.
Finally, Afrobeat has developed and expanded to become the leading employer of talented young Nigerians. As a result, the sector has grown and assisted thousands of people, primarily youth, in escaping poverty and achieving prosperity. The Nigerian economy may appear in disarray, but the Afrobeat forum has given hope to the country’s economy, and things are improving daily.
