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Afro-House frontrunner AMÉMÉ Returns Home to Benin in New Documentary
BENIN, AFRICA | West African afro-house innovator AMÉMÉ takes center stage in VICE's new documentary "I'll Rise: Beats of Benin," streaming now as part of the I'LL RISE series produced in partnership with the European Commission. The intimate film follows the Benin-born artist as he returns to his homeland, connecting with family and local creatives while exploring how improved infrastructure and connectivity are empowering West Africa's next generation of music makers to break global barriers.
"I'm bringing Benin to the world," AMÉMÉ declares in the documentary, standing on a Cotonou beach at sunset. The film captures the artist born Hubert Sodogandji as he walks the dusty streets where he first heard the polyrhythms that became his signature sound, flipping through old family photos in his mother's house and visiting the creative spaces that shaped his early musical development.
"People think African music is just drums and chanting," AMÉMÉ tells filmmakers. "But we've been making electronic music for decades. We just didn't have the plug-ins."
The documentary reveals how basic electricity was once a luxury in Benin, where entire generations of potential electronic artists never progressed past bedroom studios while waiting for power grids to stabilize. EU partnerships bringing reliable infrastructure to places like Cotonou have transformed the landscape, suddenly giving kids who grew up with ancestral rhythms access to the same production tools dominating Western dance floors.
"We were always musical," AMÉMÉ explains. "But now we're connected."
The film arrives during a landmark 2025 for AMÉMÉ, who has solidified his position as a global cultural architect bridging West African traditions with contemporary electronic music. Recent achievements include his sophomore return to Coachella, headlining Boiler Room Lagos, and major releases on Insomniac Records including "Feel The Love" with andhim and Malou, and "Sweat" featuring GRAMMY-nominated Barney Bones.
AMÉMÉ's journey from Cotonou's challenging creative environment to international stages exemplifies the documentary's central theme of African resilience and innovation. His One Tribe movement, which evolved from a 2017 Brooklyn event series into a global phenomenon encompassing record label, fashion identity, and cultural philosophy, demonstrates how connectivity and opportunity can amplify authentic voices worldwide.
The One Tribe Records label achieved #15 on Beatport's afro-house label charts in 2024 while supporting emerging talents through Various Artists compilations including "CIRCLES." Since relaunching the signature event series, AMÉMÉ has hosted showcases at fabric London, established a quarterly residency at Amsterdam's Shelter, and expanded to Ibiza, Egypt, and Art Basel Miami.
AMÉMÉ's recent collaboration with fellow Benin native 5X GRAMMY-winner Angelique Kidjo on a reimagined version of her iconic track "Agolo" also showcases how he bridges musical generations while honoring cultural heritage. The project exemplifies his commitment to ensuring afro-house's mainstream rise respects its African origins.
As part of VICE's I'LL RISE series, the documentary spotlights a new generation of African creators reshaping global culture through creativity, resilience, and improved infrastructure. From music to photography to fashion, these stories reveal how access, opportunity, and ambition can transform not just individual lives but entire creative ecosystems.
AMÉMÉ's label One Tribe serves as more than a business venture—it's a platform proving that geographic isolation no longer limits artistic impact. "Everything we wear should have a past," the artist reflects on his broader creative philosophy. "My job is to give it a future."
The documentary captures AMÉMÉ mentoring young Beninese producers, demonstrating how reliable power and internet connectivity have democratized music production across West Africa. Where Western kids learned Ableton on MacBooks, young Beninese artists now have equal access to the tools needed to craft globe-spanning soundscapes.
Standing where his journey began, AMÉMÉ embodies the documentary's message that infrastructure improvements can unleash unprecedented creative potential. His evolution from bedroom producer waiting for electricity to international festival headliner illustrates how connectivity transforms possibility into reality.
"I'll Rise: Beats of Benin" streams now on VICE platforms
as part of the I'LL RISE documentary series.
