What is Afrobeats — and how is it different from Afrobeat?

This distinction matters more than people realise. Afrobeats (with an “s”) is the modern, pop-driven sound that dominates global charts today — think Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Tems, Rema and Ayra Starr. Afrobeat (no “s”) is the politically charged, jazz-and-funk fusion pioneered by Fela Kuti in the 1970s.

Afrobeats borrows from Afrobeat’s soul but pairs it with dancehall, hip-hop and R&B, wrapped around the infectious log-drum rhythm that has become its signature. The result is the fastest-growing music export in the world.

The pioneers who laid the ground

You cannot understand Afrobeats without Fela Kuti. His invention of Afrobeat — long, hypnotic grooves over sharp social commentary — gave Nigerian music its political backbone. King Sunny Ade took juju music global, while 2Baba (2face Idibia) and P-Square carried the torch into the 2000s, building the bridge to today’s stars.

The modern era: the artists driving it

Wizkid broke through globally with “Ojuelegba,” then became the first African artist to top Billboard’s Hot 100 as a lead artist on Drake’s “One Dance.” Burna Boy became the first Nigerian to win a Grammy for a solo project with Twice as Tall, then repeated with I Told Them…. Davido built a cross-continental movement, while Tems became the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy and reach a billion streams on multiple songs. Rema and Ayra Starr represent the new wave, carrying the sound into Afrobeats’ second decade of global dominance.

Afrobeats by the numbers

• Nigerian artists have won multiple Grammy awards across the global music and Afrobeats categories, and Afrobeats became a permanent Grammy category in 2024.
• Burna Boy and Wizkid have each headlined sold-out arena tours across Europe and North America.
• Spotify’s global charts regularly feature Nigerian tracks in the top 10, and “Afrobeats” is among the most-searched music genres worldwide.
• The genre consistently outstreams several traditional Western pop genres in the UK, where London has become a second home for the sound.

Why Afrobeats matters beyond the music

Afrobeats is not just sound — it is soft power. It has put Nigerian food, fashion and slang on the global map. When Nigerian fashion designers walk international runways to an Afrobeats soundtrack, the loop closes: music leads, culture follows, and the whole country rises on the tide.

The same energy now defines Nigerian fashion history, a story that runs from hand-dyed adire to today’s runways.

Where to start listening

If you are new to Afrobeats, start with these: “Essence” by Wizkid featuring Tems, “Last Last” by Burna Boy, “Calm Down” by Rema, “Rush” by Ayra Starr, and “Unavailable” by Davido. From there, explore the albums — Made in Lagos, African Giant and Timeless are the essential full-lengths.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Afrobeats and Afrobeat?

Afrobeats (with an “s”) is modern Nigerian pop; Afrobeat (no “s”) is the 1970s jazz-funk sound pioneered by Fela Kuti. Afrobeats descends from Afrobeat but is a distinct, contemporary genre.

Who is the biggest Afrobeats artist?

Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido are widely considered the “big three” of modern Afrobeats, with Tems, Rema and Ayra Starr leading the new generation.

Is Afrobeats the biggest music export from Africa?

Yes. Afrobeats is the most commercially successful African music export in history, with Nigerian artists headlining global charts, festivals and arenas.