The growth of Latin music and K-pop has the music industry on the lookout for the next geographical hotspot for music... and all signs point to Africa. Our curators chime in about how we've seen Afrobeats gaining traction in popular music and what to expect in the next few years.
Inside Music Curation Episode 40 | Afrobeats
Recap:
At Feed Media Group, we are dedicated to helping businesses power music in apps. Today, we have our esteemed colleagues from the music curation team here to talk about all things related to music curation; from genres to use cases and music trends.
In this episode, we discussed Afrobeats.
00:00:00 - 00:20:00
This video discussion focuses on the rise of Afrobeats and its increasing popularity in the music industry. The team at Feed Media Group highlights the exponential growth in streaming numbers for Afrobeats, with artists like Burna Boy achieving record-breaking success on platforms like Apple Music. They also share personal introductions to the genre, from discovering it through DJ live sessions on Instagram to experiencing the rhythms firsthand in Africa.
The team discusses the industry's efforts to develop Afrobeats artists internationally, drawing parallels with success in K-pop and Latin music. The video also emphasizes the power of collaborations between Afrobeats artists and globally renowned musicians, as well as the genre's inclusion in prominent soundtracks and movies. The team expresses excitement about the genre's growing recognition, multicultural acceptance, and its influence on other genres like reggaeton. They discuss the impact of language and accessibility in music promotion, highlighting strategic promotion, cross-collaboration, and social media as catalysts for awareness of Afrobeats.
The team predicts a promising future for Afrobeats, the integration of its music into various aspects of entertainment, and collaborations with different genres. They recommend exploring foundational tracks and up-and-coming Afrobeats artists, showcasing the unique voices and storytelling within the genre.
00:00:00 In this section, the team at Feed Media Group discusses the rise of Afrobeats and its growing popularity in the music industry. They mention how streaming numbers for Afrobeats have skyrocketed in recent years, with artists like Burna Boy breaking records on platforms like Apple Music. They also discuss their personal introductions to Afrobeats, with one team member mentioning how they were first introduced to the genre through DJ live sessions on Instagram, while another recalls their experience in Africa and how it influenced their perception of the genre's rhythms. The team also touches on the industry's focus on developing Afrobeats artists internationally, similar to what has been done with K-pop and Latin music. Overall, they highlight the increasing recognition and collaborations between Afrobeats artists and globally renowned musicians like Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran.
00:05:00 In this section, the speakers discuss the strategy of incorporating popular American artists into Afrobeats songs to gain exposure for newer Afrobeats artists. They emphasize the power of collaborations in bridging different genres and introducing new music to diverse audiences. They mention various breakthrough moments for Afrobeats, such as its inclusion in the FIFA World Cup soundtrack and in movies like Black Panther and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. They express excitement about the genre's growing popularity and the opportunity to discover and learn from its vast range of artists. They also highlight the positive reception of Afrobeats in other genres, like reggaeton, and the increasing acceptance of multiculturalism in the entertainment industry.
00:10:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the impact of language and accessibility in music promotion, particularly in relation to Latin music and Afrobeats. They highlight the fact that music is no longer restricted by language, and that movements like Afrobeats are gaining popularity due to their commercial success. The speaker also emphasizes the use of strategic promotion, cross-collaboration, and social media in bringing awareness to Afrobeats. They further discuss the role of platforms like TikTok in changing the game of music discovery, and how it is affecting both consumer and business streaming. Overall, the combination of open-mindedness, social media sharing, and streaming access is opening doors to new music experiences from different regions.
00:15:00 In this section, Armando discusses how they incorporate Afrobeat songs into their workout routine, specifically using songs with BPM ranges that match the intensity of different exercises. They also mention the increasing presence of afrobeats in various aspects of entertainment, such as movies, and predict that it will continue to grow. The conversation then shifts to the equal representation of male and female artists in Afrobeats, which the team finds exciting and progressive. They also discuss the potential for collaborations between Afrobeats and Latin music genres and mention an album that features Afrobeats stars collaborating with Bob Marley's greatest hits. Overall, they express excitement for the future of Afrobeats and its integration into different avenues of music and entertainment.
00:20:00 In this section, the team discusses some foundational tracks and up-and-coming artists in Afrobeats that listeners should check out. They recommend albums like Wizkid's "Made in Lagos" and artists such as Burna Boy, Rema, Hawa, and Davido. They also mention newer artists like Oxlade, Bloody Silhouette, Bad Boy Timz, Arya Starr, and Libianca. They highlight the unique voices and storytelling within the genre, expressing excitement for its continued growth and collaborations with other genres.
Thank you for joining us today, and we hope you enjoyed this journey through the world of Afrobeats. Stay tuned for more exciting discussions on music curation in future episodes.
About the live video series:
At Feed Media Group (FMG), our music curation team excels at handpicking music for businesses. While technology and analytics play a vital role in the curation process, it is the expertise, curiosity, and ability of our music curators to bring the world around us into focus that truly sets our music stations apart.
By staying attuned to pop culture trends and understanding the wider societal context of songs, we are able to craft exceptional music stations. It is this connection, context, and attention to detail that distinguishes our stations from those generated by even the most advanced algorithms used by major streaming platforms.
Come on a journey with us as we delve into the fascinating world of curating music for businesses and brands. We will explore everything from the practical applications to the user experience, taking a deep dive into genres, audience preferences, data analysis, and the latest trends.
Live on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn, the first Wednesday of the month at 1pm Pacific.
2 min