Afrobeat and the sounds of a star system
Much more than a musical style, Afrobeats is a social phenomenon powered by megapopular stars.
It may have originated in Nigeria, but this vibrant musical genre has definitely conquered the world. With its dynamic rhythm and fusion of traditional Yoruba music, jazz, fuji and funk, afrobeats has become a viral phenomenon. At the forefront of this movement are some of Nigeria's most iconic musicians.
Wizkid and Davido were pioneers, introducing the world to Afrobeats via featurings with Drake, Beyoncé and Chris Brown. Meanwhile, Burna Boy has been an undeniable driving force behind the acceptance of the genre. His albums Twice As Tall and African Giant brought him international recognition and collaboration with the likes of Justin Bieber and Sam Smith.
There's also a new wave of talent on the rise, including Rema, Ayra Starr and Asake, pushing the genre to new heights. Rema's debut album, Rave & Roses, and her EP Ravage, which incorporates elements of trap and electro, are testament to her innovative spirit. Ayra Starr's soulful vocals made her a force to be reckoned with, while Asake's unique blend of afrobeats and fuji captivated the crowds.
People around the world are drawn to afrobeats because of its unique fusion of traditional and modern sounds, reflecting Nigeria's rich cultural heritage. The scene's icons inspire young artists and underpin the country's musical power - a symbol of African pride and identity. Here we profile three Afrobeats superstars: Burna Boy, Rema and Ayra Starr.
BURNA BOY
THE ICON
Mix the rebellious spirit of Fela Kuti, the soulful vibes of Bob Marley and the lyrical fire of Kendrick Lamar, and you get Burna Boy, the Nigerian star who's taking the world music scene by storm! His unique sound, tinged with Afrobeats, hip-hop, reggae and R'n'B, has set this international icon on an irreversible rise. Born in 1991 in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu grew up in a musical family, his father a manager and his mother a backing singer. He began making music at the age of ten, influenced by traditional Nigerian sounds, American hip-hop and Jamaican reggae.
His first single, ‘Like to Party’ (2013), lit the spark, followed by his debut album, LIFE (2013), which consolidated his Nigerian fan base. In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group, and the albums Outside (2018) and African Giant (2019) showcased his musical genius, earning him a BET (an American award created in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network) for Best International Artist and a Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album.
He was only just getting started: Twice As Tall (2020) won the Grammy for Best World Music Album in 2021. Love, Damini (2022) entered the Billboard 200 chart, breaking previous records for a Nigerian artist. With his distinctive Afro-fusion sound, Burna Boy continues to burn up the charts. He's on fire and his flame will be heating up dancefloors for many years to come!
REMA
RISING STAR
As the curtain closed on his tour of Auckland and Wellington, echoes of his Afrobeats were still ringing out, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of New Zealand fans.
Born Divine Ikubor on 1 May 2000 in Benin City, Nigeria, Rema was a high school student when he first became passionate about music. Little did he know that his unique blend of Afrobeats, hip-hop and R'n'B would soon captivate crowds around the world.
With the release of his debut single ‘Dumebi’ in 2019, Rema sent shockwaves through the local music scene. But it was ‘Calm Down’, in 2022, that propelled him to stardom, with a remix featuring Selena Gomez that peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Rave & Roses, his debut album, cemented his position as a global music powerhouse, climbing to No. 81 on the Billboard 200.
Former US President Barack Obama included the song ‘Yayo’ in his 2024 summer playlist, alongside other talented artists such as Tems and Tyla, testifying to the international reach of his music. A true afrobeats rising star, he can boast about being the author of the first African album to exceed two billion streams on Spotify. His musical style, a blend of traditional Nigerian rhythms and modern sounds, is inspiring a new generation of artists.
Also known for his commitment to social justice, he has been a fervent supporter of the #EndSARS movement, which campaigns against police violence in Nigeria. Critics praise his talent and influence: Rolling Stone describes him as ‘an emblem of the rise of Afrobeats on a global scale’. The Guardian Nigeria highlights the ‘dominance of Nigerian music on the international scene’. And his fans are now eagerly awaiting whatever he has in store for them.
AYRA STARR
THE NEW QUEEN
With a voice like a nightingale and incredible stage presence, the 22-year-old Nigerian sensation has burst onto the world music scene, leaving behind a trail of records and spellbound fans. Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe was born in Cotonou, Benin, in 2002, but grew up in Nigeria. The youngest of five children, she began singing in her church choir, developing a great passion for music. This talented singer and songwriter has enjoyed dazzling success and is now considered a pure local artist.
Hers was a rapid rise to stardom. Her debut EP Away and the single of the same name, released in 2021, dominated Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 chart for two consecutive weeks. Her debut album 19 & Dangerous, also released in 2021, received critical acclaim and generated two Top 40 hits in the country.
Ayra Starr is also a keen follower of fashion and has collaborated with brands such as Nike and Adidas. An advocate of women's and young people's rights, she has worked with charities to support education and health in disadvantaged communities.
Her single ‘Bloody Samaritan’ was the first female solo track to reach number one in the Top 50. And when asked about her secret to being so talented, Ayra simply replied: “It's the fire that burns inside me... and a bit of Beninese magic!”
But it was ‘Rush’, released in 2021, that propelled her to international stardom. The song reached number 24 in the UK charts and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best African Musical Performance. In 2024, she released her second album, The Year I Turned 21, consolidating her position as the First Lady of Afrobeats. Ayra Starr has received numerous awards and accolades, including Best Female Artist at the Headies Awards 2023, a music competition set up in 2006 by Nigeria’s Hip Hop World Magazine to reward local music industry players, and she was ranked number three in Billboard's Next Big Sound chart in 2021. From the start of her career, her rise to fame broke the glass ceiling for female artists in Afrobeats and beyond.