Reggaeton and Afrobeats have an interesting relationship. It could be that both genres prioritise the bounce as an essential part of their sound. Or it could be that both genres encourage a fun and innovative approach to their sound. For a long time, Afrobeats artists have dabbled in the Caribbean goodness that is present in the reggaeton sound, and other Caribbean artists have experienced joy while navigating the sound of Afrobeats. A marriage of the two genres is a phenomenon that we have experienced in the past, but it takes a skilled producer who understands the nuances of both genres to effectively execute a merger of the two sounds. Raphbeatz is one producer who knows all about that.
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He shows his understanding of the nuances of both genres with his production for the remix of Bumba, where he works with Damilfice and Blaqbonez to bring it to life. Raphbeatz is conversant with the subtle differences that exist within an Afrobeats bounce and a Reggaeton bounce. He does well to merge both here, using claps and snares to accentuate the progression of kicks which he lays to carry the bounce of the song. It certainly gives off a tropical vibe that would be a joy to witness on a beach, or at a bashment party. The smooth listening experience attached to Bumba is in line with Raphbeatz’s ability to make feel-good records that are the soundtrack to a good time.

His collaborators bring their A-game to Bumba as well. Damilfice is playful with his melodies, putting together a catchy chorus that’s reminiscent of a Vybz Kartel or Wayne Wonder hook. His decision to feature Blaqbonez on this song turned out to be a masterstroke that elevated the quality of the song. Much like his performance on his hit record “BBC”, Blaqbonez steps across the beat with a reckless abandon that has become associated with him over the course of his career. He finds pockets within Raphbeatz’s production and creates others for himself where he deems fit, bringing a mix of rapping and singing together for a top-notch verse.
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Raphbeatz excels at a lot of things as a producer, but one thing that can’t be quantified by technical know-how is his ability to set a vibe. He has an intuitive understanding of how the elements of a song work together to convey a feeling. Sound isn’t just heard, it is experienced, and the vibe that Raphbeatz created on Bumba is one that is heightened by experiencing the music with others. Merging the best qualities of two genres is something that can only be achieved by years of fine-tuning your craft, and Raphbeatz has put in the hours. His level of skill is almost tangible as you feel your way through the song’s 2:52 minutes.

The talent on show within Nigerian music is a joy to behold. Our musicians are so adept at merging influences, which makes our music a global phenomenon by design. Raphbeatz is on the way to being the go-to producer for genre-bending ingenuity, and his discography has everything to prove it.
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