Afrobeats isn’t just on Obama’s annual playlists or making the British break dance to it, it’s also given birth to sub genres that are easily recognisable by their lyrics and delivery and vibes.
Many listeners relate to artists by their songs and what they talk about the most. These sounds are labelled by the audience based on the stories they hear in the songs.
Afroadura
This style is a combination of touching and relatable stories, motivational one-liners and prayer points. Afroadura boys are always relatable. Best listened to in the morning, preferably Barry Jhay’s music.
Afroyahoo
Afroyahoo a.k.a yahoopiano is a genre of music that glorifies cybercrime and gets inspiration from it. Shallipopi is currently the face of this movement, but Naira Marley deserves some accolades for popularising a message Olu Maintain first spread some sixteen years ago, with his smash hit Yahooze.
Afrocultism
Being a real-life cultist is not a requirement to make afrocultism. Just talk about beating your enemies and pushing them to the curb. Also, have a dictionary of strong slang people won’t easily understand. You may jam real cultists though. Better run to live to fight another day if this happens.
Afrodepression
If you’re seeing ‘shege’, and you say afrodepression thrice, Omah Lay will appear to hold your hands and cry with you. This music style is best described as crying on the dance floor, with a half-filled cup of Gordon’s in one hand.
Afrotrenches
Do you remember those times you had one red shoe and couldn’t afford one Red Bull? Or whenever sapa won’t let you see front, afrotrenches music is what’s best to hold your body. T.I Blaze for the morning, Seyi Vibez in the afternoon and Balloranking at night.
“Mama tell me say” boys >>>>>
Afrorave
Popularised by Rema, Afrorave is high-energy, fast-tempo music. Moshpits are never not found at rave parties. Rema is who Playboi Carti thinks he is.
Afrowahala
You’ll find the one and only Portable Baby at the core of this sound. If you don’t have the penchant for chaos, leave it for this man.
