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African Music Genres to Get You Dancing
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Culture Make Room on Your Make Room on Your Playlist Playlist
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African Music Genres
to Get You Dancing
Over the past few years, Afrobeats has been taking over the American music scene. With artists like WizKid and Davido Collaborating with well-known rappers like Drake, Young Thug, and Chris Brown, there has been more room for African crossovers in the top charts. With a seat at the table finally being reserved for African music, clubs, and venues that used to be strictly hip hop and R&B on the turntables. It used to be refreshing to hear a DJ shout out “Where are my Africans at?” and watch the crowd turn up to whatever song drops next. However, I know my people are tired of hearing” Joanna” and” If” back-to-back. Let’s explore some more musical cultures that will get your feet and hips moving! Afroswing, afrobashment, afrowave, afrotrap… whatever you want to call it, is competing with Afrobeats for the best music out right now. After American artists like Migos and Pop Smoke (RIP) took over international charts, African musicians in the UK began to mix afro sounds with American hip-hop/trap/drill vibes. Not only that, but one could say there’s a dancehall-Esque flow in Afroswing.
Artists to check out: WSTRN, Kojo Funds, NSG, B Young
Arguably some of the best dancers in the world, South Africa is credited with creating AfroHouse and Amapiano. AfroHouse is a mixture of kwaito, tribal, and soulful house music while Amapiano infuses jazz and lounge-like percussion with kwaito and house. These sounds are out of this world and guaranteed to make you nod your head and shoulders! Amapiano has gone from a local South African trend to an international phenomenon, finding its way onto dance floors across the globe.
Artists to check out: MFR Souls, Focalistic, Kabza De Small
Not to be confused with the Haitian Kompa or Dominican Bachata, Kizomba is a romantic and sultry dance brought to you by the lusophone country of Angola. Kizomba is a slowed-down version of zouk and semba music. The music feels sensual and smooth.
