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Started from The Bottom Now We Here.. UK Afrobeats Craze
Wednesday 12th June 2013 | Noelle
It is funny how a few years back maybe, five or ten years ago, people didn’t want to admit that they were African or even that they had African roots. Every African I knew back then with the exception of a few all claimed to be African and something else. No one wanted to admit that they were fully Ghanaian, Nigerian, Congolese, Zimbabwean, South African or whatever it may be. People didn’t want to speak their language in public; let alone sing an African song because they felt different and possibly embarrassed.
I vividly remember when my mum would drop my brother at school, as soon as they entered the school gates; if she spoke her native language he would not reply or he would reply back in English, simply because in his eyes “being African wasn’t cool”. I remember how most artists would fake the American accent when being interviewed on TV or in their songs.
However fast forward to the present day and HELLO everybody wants to be African. It is funny how what people used to think was embarrassing and disregarded is now the talk of the town. I guess we can say “Started from the bottom; now we are here”.
Over the past decade the African music industry has been fighting to put their countries on the map through their music with the aim of being recognised worldwide. Be it winning a BET award, having their video on MTV or landing on the UK Charts list.
This article is focusing on the rise of African music in the UK; especially the UK Afrobeats craze. One of the most successful UK Afrobeats artists would have to be Mista Silva; who initially started music doing grime and funky house with hit songs such as “If You Are On This Let Me Know” and “10 out of 10” which went crazy in the raves.
In 2011 he decided to venture in to the Afrobeats scene; breaking in with a smash hit titled ‘Bon Wo Sem Ma Mi’ which featured A-star, Flava and Kwamz; who took the afrobeats scene to a whole different level. ‘Bo Wo Sem Ma Mi’ went viral on social media attracting over 100,000 views on YouTube and was dubbed The Official Ghana In the Parks Anthem 2011. Afrobeats allows artists to be free and speak as they please; most songs in this genre are either in English, an African language or pidgin (broken) English, the majority of the time it is a mixture.
As the Afrobeats craze started to grow rapidly and the number of fans increased; Ghanaian artist Sarkodie dropped a hit featured and produced by Ghanaian artist EL called ‘You Go Kill Me’ which started the whole ‘AZONTO’ craze both in Africa and the UK. Loads of African artists such as D’banj, Keche, Guru, EL, Itz Tiffany, P square amongst others quickly jumped on the hype and also produced smashing hits. D’banj's song ‘Oliver twist’ landed in the UK Top Charts.
UK based artist such as Flava and Kwamz, Mista Silva, Tribal Magz, Fuse ODG, Skob, Vibesquad, Gizmo alongside others also jumped on the azonto craze; several hits were made during the Azonto craze season including Fuse ODG’s hit ‘Antenna’; the official video featured Wyclef Jean who declared at the beginning of his verse “it’s the remix and I had to get involved”; in his verse he stated that “when Haiti hooks up with who? With Africa, shut down, easy”.
Not only have Afrobeat artists been making noise in the UK, but American hip hop, rap and RnB artist have also joined the Afrobeats craze. Konvict music Co founder Akon not only collaborated with P square and Mr May D on ‘chop my money’, but he also signed P square to his label Konvict music as well Wizkid. Rick Ross also did collaboration with P Square on their song “beautiful onyinye”.
Furthermore, the ‘Oliver twist’ hit maker D’banj the Kokomaster has also been successfully signed to G.O.O.D MUSIC; a record label founded by the ‘Lamborghini Mercy’ artist Kayne West. It seems like the Afrobeats craze is gradually taking over as established American artists are merging with African artists to create wonderful music.
CEO Dancers who danced to Iyanya’s song “kukere” on Britain’s got talent amazed the judges so much that Amanda stated “It was amazing. The music was fantastic and you were amazing.” Alesha also stated that she loved the African flavour of the performance.
It all started back in Africa and now it seems everyone has heard Afrobeats and has a love for Afrobeats. Once again I guess this is only right to say “Started from the bottom now we here”.
Noelle Asiedu / @Missndott
