Man and music are intertwined, inseparable entities which are difficult to dissect. From time immemorial, music has been a form of relaxation for humans, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or nationality. It’s a form of identity, too, which comes in different forms, such as classical music, pop music, rock music, hip-hop music, Afrobeats music, and lots more. Each piece of music has its distinct way of combining lyrics with sounds, beats, together with voices, which always encapsulates its audience.
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In the late 90s to mid-2000s, a particular musical style came into the limelight from West Africa —Nigeria and Ghana. This new style of music was named Afrobeats— similar to Afrobeat, but quite distinct. Afrobeat (without s) and Afrobeats (with s) are musical genres with roots in West Africa. While the advent of Afrobeat was credited to Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti), Afrobeats is owned by contemporary artists in Nigeria and the diaspora. It’s a mixture of West African pop music with hip-hop, dancehall, R&B, and EDM, unlike Fela’s. The lyrics Afrobeats are often about love, relationships, personal success, partying, and other light topics, and the rhythm of the songs is catchy and upbeat.
This particular style of music and its practitioners have started gaining recognition in the world space now. For African music enthusiasts, it is heartwarming that recognition is being accorded to practitioners of this style of music. Popular Afrobeats artists are Davido, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Rema, to mention but a few.
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Afrobeats isn’t just African music or Nigerian music; it’s a song listened to beyond Africa. The Western world now recognizes Afrobeats as a genre of music. The sustained success of Afrobeats songs in the UK and continental Europe eventually led to the launch of the UK’s first Afrobeats music radio station, The Beat London 103.6 FM, in 2016. It presents Afrobeats as a major genre rather than a side offering. Johnny Crown’s songs aren’t left out here.
With his romantic voice, Johnn —popularly known as Johnny Crown— has several albums recorded already, using his sonorous vocal to pass a beautiful message to lovers of good music. One of his reputable albums is titled “Drunk, a powerful EP which dives deep into themes of escapism, self-reflection, and the rawness of human experience. Metaphorically, “Drunk” explores the overconsumption of personal struggle and life challenges, not alcohol.
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Meanwhile, artists are products of their society. They reflect scenarios of their lives in the lyrics of their songs, varying from challenges, struggles, pains, happiness, love, etc. These and many more are dominant in Johnny’s songs — “Cleopatra”, “Incredible”, “Bread Winners”, “The Lord’s Prayer”, “Let My People Go”, and “Oh my god.”
Nevertheless, while streaming is unaffordable for many in Nigeria, it is affordable for the diaspora Nigerian. So, the poor state of Nigerian infrastructure promotes the evolution and propagation of Afrobeats because it brings rhyme, rhythm, culture, identity and connection to the forefront.
Afrobeats isn’t just dominant in this century; it’s reshaping the global soundscapes. Honestly, in the Western world, Afrobeats is having a big transnational and transatlantic moment, such as recognizing and awarding Afrobeats artists. One of such Afrobeats artists to be awarded soon—like many others in the past— for his sincere artistic prowess is Johnny Crown Omolade.
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