Afrobeats received over 14 billion streams in 2023 and over 13 billion streams in 2022 on sites such as these. Cities like Nairobi, London, and Paris all have a sizable following for this genre, demonstrating its expanding worldwide appeal.
In the utopia of Afrobeats, everything would appear perfect: tours would sell out, records would break, the Billboard Hot 100 would be our playground, and the Grammies would be ours to keep. But we must not give up on maintaining the status quo and make sure that the necessary resources, structures, policies, and personnel are put in place.
It is therefore pertinent to know the curators who have dedicated their lives to documenting and preserving the historical and cultural elements that Afrobeats the reigning sound of the globe.
Below are some of the Afrobeats curators holding it down for the culture;
1. Ayomide Tayo
He has over a decade of expertise covering music as an entertainment journalist. He began his career as a journalist for Hip Hop World Magazine, which is perhaps Nigeria’s most significant outlet for music and youth culture. He is known for his digs on social media covering topics on Afrobeats culture, history, artists, and songs. He is also a Pop Culture Curator.
2. Collins Banks Ajayi
He is a public figure on social media with over 105k followers on TikTok and 46k subscribers on YouTube. He has made a name for himself with his detailed videos on the forgotten history of Afrobeats and current personalities repping the culture on a massive scale. Some of his viral videos, like the one he did on Naeto C, made waves in several African countries.
3. Emmanuel Owoniyi
He is a media personality who offers Afrocentric music commentary. He started his channel on Sep 21, 2020, and has over 11,000 subscribers on YouTube. He is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Afrobeats. His livestream NEW MUSIC FRIDAY are informative and entertaining, and it provides a great way to learn about the genre. His viral video on P-Square’s ‘Game Over’ album, being the most iconic Nigerian album, was posted by popular social media influencer Tunde Ednut, WeTalkSounds, Mr P of P-Square and it even made its way to mainstream media.
4. Vivz
She is a self-described Afrobeats reviewer. She creates videos that discuss new releases, interviews artists, and reviews albums. She started in 2019 as a way to share her love of Afrobeats with others. She wanted to create a space where people could come to learn about the genre and discover new music. She has over 82,000 subscribers. Her videos have been featured on major media outlets, such as OkayAfrica, Pulse Nigeria, and Afrobeats Planet. She is committed to using her platform to promote Afrobeats music and culture, and she hopes that her channel will inspire others to get involved in the scene.
5. Adeayo Adebiyi
He is a Nigerian music journalist who is dedicated to the development and documentation of Nigerian music. He focuses on guiding younger audiences through the complexities of pop culture and the evolution of Nigerian mainstream music, reflecting on its historical and political contexts. He is also a Senior Music Reporter at Pulse Nigeria. He hosts the popular Facts Only, a video format providing in-depth analysis of everything that concerns Nigerian music.
6. Osagie Alonge
He is a public figure active on social media, particularly Instagram, where he has a significant following. His Instagram bio references his involvement with projects such as “Global Village,” “Loose Talk Giants,” and “A Music In Time” podcast where he and his colleagues share their rich knowledge of the Nigerian music industry. His work combines themes of business, wellness, Afrobeats and spirituality.
7. Chuka Obi
He is a creative professional known for his work as a writer and his role as a Creative Director. He previously worked for Insight Publicis and is currently the Director of Creativity & Innovations at Globacom. He is recognized for his creative ideas, including writing the “I Don Port” advertisement for MTN. He is a Nigerian music historian with vast knowledge of Hip-hop, Afrobeats and global music.
8. Chioma Ugo-Nwachukwu
She is an experienced Social Media Manager, Content Creator, Digital Marketer, and Voice Over Artist with over four years of expertise in driving engagement. She is also known for her curatorial skills, especially in the Afrobeats genre, where she selects tracks across various musical styles. She is the founder of Afrobeats Head, a platform that is recognized for its significant impact on the Afrobeats music scene, specializing in professional playlists. The platform promotes and showcases popular music from West Africa and its diaspora.
9. Milor Hilary
He is a content creator, known for videos discussing various topics, including the story of Rema. He has a YouTube channel with around 44.6K subscribers and has created over 70 videos. He is also associated with Abia State University and currently resides in Lagos.
These individuals, along with many others, have played a vital role in shaping the narrative of Afrobeats and ensuring its continued success. Their dedication, passion, and expertise have helped to preserve the genre’s cultural heritage and elevate its status on the global stage.
