It is almost impossible to talk about music in Nigeria without mentioning the popular afrobeat genre. Afrobeat is a genre of music which combines elements of west African style of music together with highlife and American jazz. The music has a unique style that involves chanting vocals, it has percussion and Rhythm.
Afrobeat originated from Ghana in the year 1920 But it was in 1959 that it began in Nigeria, Precisely southern Nigeria. The genre of music started back in the 1960s and continued to develop between the 60s and 70s. The Afrobeat music is largely influenced by a mixture of highlife, African jazz and Fuji music.
There are Nigerian musicians widely known for Afrobeat but it originally began through Fela kuti who was a band leader and instrumentalist and Tony Allen who was a drummer songwriter and primary co-founder of Afrobeat.They came up with Afrobeat and because of Fela Kuti an the music gained popularity both nationally and internationally.

Afrobeat versus Afrobeats
Despite the fact that Afrobeat and Afrobeats look similar and are sometimes erroneously used interchangeably, they are entirely different, afrobeat is genre of music that has been clearly defined while Afrobeats is a term used to describe contemporary west African pop music. Afrobeats us also known as Afro-pop and Afro-fusion.
Another difference between Afrobeat and Afrobeats is that the Afrobeat without the “s” was the genre of music used by Fela Kuti to speak up against ills in the society and to particularly criticize politics. Afrobeats on the other hand does not focus on such topics as a matter of fact such topics are usually avoided.
There are many artists today who are known for Afrobeats. Some of them are;
Tiwa Savage a female musician who is doing so well and l is the leading female afrobeats, this music has gained much recognition and made her win awards.
Davido who has gained popularity overtime and has also won best international act award BET awards in 2018 and other awards, He has also been nominated for various awards including the 2021 Grammys
Wizkid whose real name is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun is also a a Nigerian artist who is known all over the world for his music and that’s when I words as a result of his musical achievements he is one of the most decorated Afrobeats artist.
Burna boy whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu also known for his unique style of music and use of Afrobeats have since gained global recognition. a Grammy for his outstanding music. With nominations at the Grammys. He won the award for Best World Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
Nigeria Afrobeat versus Afrobeats
Long before Afrobeats they have been Afrobeat which has been existing for over 50 years.in present day Nigeria music Afrobeats have become more popular it is a recent genre so has fused together hip-hop and R&B, this type of music has grown popular in clubs and European countries particularly in the UK.
Afrobeat music usually have messages which were targeted at the government, the citizens, the nation and political criticism, Today few songs songs convey messages that are targeted at addressing a problem in society and this type of music are more likely to fizzle out with time unlike actual Afrobeat songs if old having messages which can be related to even in the present day. This truth however erase the fact that the music by a Nigerian artist which have the unique African flavor , danceable rhythm and percussion and even the style of singing has made in Nigerian musicians recognized worldwide.

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