Afrobeats (with the s – Afrobeat is a different genre) is the name applied to a brand of pop music flowing out of West Africa and the diaspora, most notably in the UK and France.

Afrobeats is not necessarily a genre per se, but more of an overarching term for various contemporary sounds flowing out of Nigeria and Ghana (such as Naija beats, highlife, hiplife, Azonto, etc), all coming under the “Afrobeats” umbrella. The term was created by British DJ Abrantee in order to more easily market the various sounds to British audiences.

This is in contrast to its precursor, Afrobeat, which is a more clearly defined genre.

Artists:

• Fuse ODG
• Maleek Berry
• Wizkid

Afrobeats is often confused with other genres. Particularly afrobeat, and Afroswing/AfroBashment artists are regularly referred to as “afrobeats”. They are however easy to tell apart:

As an example, compare Fela Kuti – Zombies (Afrobeat) to Maleek Berry – Kontrol (Afrobeats) and J Hus – Fisherman (Afroswing / AfroBashment). There’s a clear difference!

Afrobeat is a big band based genre, very instrumental and with heavy jazz influences.

Afrobeats on the other hand is the name applied to contemporary West African pop music, being made both in West Africa and by the African diaspora elsewhere, most notably the UK.

Afroswing / AfroBashment is a genre born in the UK. It is more melodic, and chill oriented than Afrobeats, similar to Dancehall.