Dear Listeners,
This edition of the Africa Show highlighted the similarities between contemporary African Music and historical Tribal African Music. The African Music industry in general as well as the industries of many other prominent regions like the United States and UK have been taken by storm by the rise of Afrobeats. Therefore it was a pertinent aim of mine to study deeply the musical characteristics of Afrobeats to decide whether it is a detachment from old African Music or a continuation.
The verdict is out and it is a continuation, a wonderful one to be precise. During the show we delved into the components of African music and analysed what sets it apart from other genres. In terms of Form, it came to light that the most frequently used form in African musical traditions consists of the use of ostinato, or repeated short musical phrases with the accompaniment of melodic-rhythmic patterns. For example, in the call and response method, a leader usually sings a phrase with a chorus singing back a response. Two or more melodies may be combined to form larger sectional formations. Contrast is achieved through a series of musical movements or “acts,” each consisting of a section repeated several times. This is what gives volume to African Music.
Analysis of the Rhythm (which is the most distinguishing characteristic of African music tradition) was crucial to the understanding of Afrobeats. Four basic elements characterize African rhythmic structure. They are an equal pulse base, a metric time arrangement, a specific organizing principle unifying a diversity of simultaneous rhythmic patterns together, and an exact starting point for rhythmic groupings. The sense of Rhythm is also facilitated through the use of Repetition. It is that repetition that holds together the other musical units of the composition.For example, in the Mbira music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, a repeated pattern is established by the interaction of various parts, and the musician develops an improvisation out of this core pattern.
African music, from the communal nature of African society, is marked by the simultaneous sounding of two or more pitches and this is vital to the generation of musical texture. Melody and rhythm are interwoven within this dense structure of various instrumental and metric combinations. Ornamental devices, either vocal or instrumental, are commonly used to create additional layers, providing a richer density to the texture. Another important feature of African music is its related movements or body percussion, such as hand clapping, foot stamping, and dance. Body movement is strongly encouraged by this type of music.
It was interesting to discover that the treatment of “music” and “dance” as separate art forms is a European idea. In many African languages there is no concept corresponding exactly to these terms. For example, in many Bantu languages, there is one concept that might be translated as ‘song’ and another that covers both the semantic fields of the European concepts of “music” and “dance.” So there is one word for both music and dance in Bantu Culture like a number of other African Tribes.
Kindly find ‘attached’ the playlist and tune in every Tuesday from 12 00 pm to 02 00 pm (Eastern Standard Time) for great African Music.
Best regards,
DJ Daniel (the Afrobeats Aficionado)
| Title | Artist | Album |
| AKWAABA | Guilty Beatz ft. Mr Eazi, Pataapa | AKWAABA |
| Bubble Bup | Cynthia Morgan ft. Stonebwoy | Single |
| Khona | Mafikizolo feat. Uhuru | Reunited |
| No Kissing Babe | Patoranking ft. Sarkodie | God Over Everything |
| Pooley- Swag | Guru | Single |
| Chocolat | Lartiste feat. Awa Imani | Clandestino |
| Juice | Ycee feat. Maleek Berry | Single |
| Go Down | Yemi Alade | Black Magic |
| Soco | StarBoy ft. Wizkid, Ceeza Milli, Spotless, Terri | What Happens in Lagos |
| Skolom | VVIP ft. Sena Dagadu | Skolom |
| Kotomoshi | D Black | Lightwork |
| Odo Pa | Castro Destroyer, Asamoah Gyan, Kofi Kinaata | Odo Pa |
| Hustle | Ebony feat. Brella | Bonyfied |
| Ghana Bounce | Ajebutter | What Happens in Lagos |
| Power | Eazzy ft. Shatta Wale | Power |
| Bum Bum | Yemi Alade | Black Magic |
| Jinja | Fuse ODG | Jinja |
| Rewind | MzVee ft. Kuami Eugene | DaaVee |
| Bankulize | Mr Eazi | Single |
| Poison | Ebony Reigns | Single |
| Skintight | Mr Eazi ft. Efya | Single |
| Mad Over You | Runtown | Single |