Afrobeat

Fela Kuti invented Afrobeat in Nigeria in the 1960s. This high-energy music took its inspiration from the soul revues of American artists like James Brown and mingled that influence with Nigerian highlife, jazz and anything else interesting that got in the way. Marked by rolling horns, keyboards and polyrhythmic percussion, it was party music with a deeply political edge. As Nigeria suffered under a series of brutal dictatorships, Afrobeat was one forum for political discussion and dissent. Afrobeat groups were legendary for their all-night shows, and Kuti's songs often lasted for ages as the band explored every nuance of a groove. Afrobeat has found new fans in the jam band generation, and outfits like Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra and Fela's son Femi Kuti are bringing the style into the 21st century.