Nigerian music has blown at all fronts, but what about its history and documentation? We have to record our own history, we can’t afford to sit and wait for foreigners to do it. Screaming “Afrobeats to the world” won’t write the story for us. Thankfully, there are a few people who are doing the work.
So, if you’re looking to learn about Afrobeats, its history, significant moments and events, these are the people that are currently working on documenting that rich history:
History Made: The Most Important Nigerian Songs Since 1999
Instead of low-hanging popular songs, this 173-page book, authored by Jide Taiwo, looks into 21 of the most important songs in Nigeria since 1999. This is no casual selection; these songs had massive impacts on the music culture; with history, rare interviews and personal insight tied to them. For anyone who’s loved Afrobeats since The Remedies’ Shakomo, “History Made” is a must-read.
The Sample Axis Podcast
This podcast started in December 2020 and is hosted by Gboyega Adeoya, and Nwaenie Nelson. They travel through time with music and decipher old songs sampled by Nigerian artists today. Each episode focuses on each featured song with the artists’ profiles and impact. To bring the knowledge closer to the masses, The Sample Axis Podcast made its radio debut on Crest 91.1 FM, Ibadan on April 17, 2023.
Afrobeats: The Backstory
This is a docuseries created and produced by Nigerian filmmaker Ayo Shonaiya. On 29 June, 2022, Afrobeats: The Backstory premiered and became Netflix’s first-ever Afrobeats documentary. With 12 episodes, this project clearly distinguishes between Afrobeat and Afrobeats. It also gives up close and personal highlights of the development of the latter, from the golden age of R&B to the Hip-Hop of the 1990s that has a huge influence on it.
Journey Of The Beats
This is another docuseries, produced by music industry executive and entrepreneur, Obi Asika. Its ten episodes explores the origin of afrobeats while going back in time to the black artistic expressions of the transatlantic slave trade days. Nigerian historians and writers like Ed Keazor and Jide Taiwo worked as part of the team that examines the history of afrobeats from times before colonialism. This docuseries is an effort that celebrates current Nigerian music and times before it.
READ: The Zikoko Guide: Nigerian Music Industry 101
Afrobeats Intelligence
This is founded and operated by Nigerian pop culture journalist, Joey Akan; started in March 2020. From a popular music newsletter, Afrobeats Intelligence has expanded into a podcast that talks about the Nigerian music industry, its ecosystem and culture of music. With broad interviews, diverse perspectives and sneak peeks into the industry, it digs into the past, present and future of Nigerian music.
A Music In Time Podcast
This is produced by Global Village and hosted by popular and respected Nigerian entertainment journalist, Osagz Alonge. Taking a break from his other Nigerian music podcast, Loose Talk, Osagz started A Music In Time in July 2022 to focus on Nigerian artists and their music over the years.
Afrobeats Weekly
An educative Afrobeats podcast, also produced by Global Village, is hosted weekly by Tunde and his co-host ShoWontStop. From song and album reviews to conversations around music politics, gatekeeping and cultural appropriation, Afrobeats Weekly informs on the current climate of the genre and offers insights into its future.
