Afrobeat music has become more widely known thanks to the popular social media app Tiktok, which lets users express themselves creatively with their content by adding voiceovers, sound effects, stickers, filters, and background music.
Following its rise to popularity on TikTok, the Afrobeat genre has had widespread success. One of them is crossing cultural boundaries. Worldwide connections have been made possible by Afrobeat TikTok songs. The collaboration between Beyoncé and Ghanaian dancehall singer Shatta Wale on the song “Already” is one of the amazing phenomena that has brought people from all over the world together. It is an undeniable fact that TikTok’s viral nature has given Afrobeat’s artists a worldwide platform, enabling unheard-before levels of cultural interchange and catapulting their music to new heights.
In the present day, Afrobeat is well regarded across the globe due to its contagious beats, captivating dancing moves, and socially conscious lyrics. Continue reading as we examine the origin of Afrobeat and the ascent of the genre on TikTok, emphasizing how it has crossed boundaries and grown to become a significant influence in popular culture.
The birth of Afrobeat music
In the late 1960s, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and drummer Tony Allen experimented with many contemporary music genres in Nigeria, leading to the development of Afrobeat. Numerous genres, including highlife, fuji, and Juju, as well as Yoruba vocal traditions, rhythm, and instrumentation, influenced Afrobeat.
Over time, Afrobeat music progressively spread to other African nations, including Ghana. Due to its strong pace and fusion of Western jazz tunes with African meter, some people may argue that Ghana is the true birthplace of Afrobeat music. Additionally, highlife in Ghana helped Afrobeat transform into soul music in the 19th century.
The distinctive qualities of Tiktok in contrast to other social media platforms
Unlike other social media platforms, TikTok is erratic and always up for a good time. It’s the wildest of all social media platforms. Its emphasis on short-form video material and captivating elements like music, special effects, and duets set it apart from other platforms. TikTok also makes it simple for anyone with a small following to reach enormous audiences because of its unique algorithm, which displays tailored content on each user’s For You Page.
Music trends have the power to spread to a broad audience quickly; certain songs might become extremely popular very quickly. This demonstrates the influence of TikTok and how the platform can propel trends and creators to stardom.
It’s no surprise that the majority of the top Afrobeats songs on Spotify are well-known because of TikTok exposure, as the active posting by prominent influencers accelerates popularity and encourages many of their fans to follow suit.
Trending Afrobeat Music on TikTok
DJ Neptune X Joe Boy “Mumu”
Ric Hassani “Ngozi”
Ajebu Hustlers “No wam”
Skales “Don’t say much”
The Effect of Dance
Afrobeat music’s natural affinity for dancing is one of the factors contributing to its enormous popularity on TikTok. African dance and music have long been connected, with movement acting as a vehicle for expression. The vivid and energizing quality of Afrobeat music is ideally complemented by TikTok’s platform, which strongly emphasises visual engagement. People of all ages and backgrounds have discovered a common language to connect, thanks to Afro dancers like the Dancegod Lloyd, Sayrah, and Papi Ojo, as well as the hundreds of Afrobeat dance lessons currently provided worldwide.
Promoting Cross-Cultural Interchange
Afrobeat TikTok hits have promoted a remarkable sense of cross-cultural engagement beyond just their melodious tunes and dance motions. African popular music is being embraced and explored by TikTok fans worldwide, irrespective of their cultural background. Artists such as Brandy, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, and others have started incorporating Afrobeat elements into their music.
Ultimately, this cross-cultural interchange dissolves obstacles and cultivates unity by encouraging tolerance, understanding, and adherence to African customs.
