Where afrobeats comes from
Afrobeats (with an "s") grew in Nigeria and Ghana in the 2000s and 2010s, blending highlife, hip hop, dancehall and R&B. Artists such as Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy took it global. It is distinct from Fela Kuti’s 1970s Afrobeat.
What makes a track sound like afrobeats
- Syncopated percussion
- Warm, relaxed groove
- Melodic guitar riffs
- Danceable mid-tempo
Typical structure
Groove-led: intro, verse, chorus, a percussion break, verse, chorus, outro.
Vocals in afrobeats
Afrobeats vocals are melodic and relaxed, riding the groove with catchy, repeated phrases. Ask for "smooth Afro-pop vocals with a catchy chant hook" and mention the language if it matters.
Prompting tips
Mention "highlife guitar" for West African flavour or "amapiano log drums" for the South African crossover.
Too fast and it turns into house. Keep it around 100 to 110 BPM.
Prompts to start from
Sunny Afrobeats at 104 BPM, syncopated drums, shakers, highlife guitar riff and warm synth pads
Afrobeats and amapiano blend with log drums, soft piano chords and a relaxed dance groove
Romantic Afro-pop with a gentle groove, guitar melody, congas and a catchy chorus hook