Afrobeat was introduced in Ghana in the 19th century. As at that time, Ghanaian musicians incorporated foreign influences like the fox trot and calypso with Ghanaian rhythms like Highlife. Afrobeat is also described as fusing American blues, jazz, and funk with traditional Yoruba music. Afrobeat is also described as a piece of urban popular music originating in Nigeria in the late 1960s emphasizing percussion rhythms and features elements of Jazz, funk, and lyrics with strong political punchlines.

Who is the founder of Afrobeats?

Afrobeat was brought to existence by Nigerian’s talented Afrobeat artist Fela Kuti along with his drummer Tony Allen. Fela Kuti, the world’s headlight in Afrobeat, accorded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, was born on 15, October 1938, in Abeokuta Nigeria. He paved the way for the current Afrobeat record holders, Wizkid and Tyla, a Nigerian beacon and a South African Afrobeat singer respectively.

Unfortunately, he died on 2, August 1997. It was said that he suffered from HIV/AIDS but the validity of this remains unknown. He was buried the next year at the Kalakuta Cemetery in his motherland Nigeria.

Who is the best Afrobeat Artist in Ghana?

Gregory Bortey Newman, known professionally as King Promise is the best Afrobeat artist in the history of Ghana. He is a highlife and Afrobeats singer and songwriter who signed into Legacy Life Entertainment record label. He won the Best Afrobeat Artist of the Year at the 2023 VGMA Awards.

Who is the queen of Afrobeat?

Tiwa Omolara Savage, professionally known as Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress who sings in English and her local dialect, Yoruba. Currently, Tiwa Savage is the ruling queen in this genre of Afrobeat. She believes in determination and resilience to make it in whatever she aims at. As of now, she is a beacon of hope to all young people seeking to reach their apex in terms of their aims.

Who is the most current Afrobeat artist of the year?

Formerly, Wizkid, officially known as Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, a Nigerian singer and songwriter was the reigning hip-hop artist of the year. He is a prominent icon in the world of music and respects Afrobeat and was second to none before he was overthrown by Tyla, he was the reigning Afrobeat artist on the chart of the Guinness Book of Records.

Tyla Laura Seeethal, known mononymously as Tyla, is an energetic South African songwriter born and raised in Johannesburg and designed for Epic Records alongside their various videos posted.in 2021 put Wizkid off the chart from the first by releasing her hit song Water. Her song has been accepted on all social media platforms, especially TikTok, a social media app that helps artists in the music industry when social media users use songs alongside posts in their videos for public view. This helps to popularise songs for artists in the music industry.

Afrobeat artists in Ghana include :

Kuami Eugene(Rockstar), Gyakie, Kidi, Wendy Shay, Mzvee, Kelvyn boy , Kofi Kinaata, Bisa Kdei, Camidoh, Sista Afia, R2Bees, Darko vibes and the like.

written by Ruth Ama Onumah