Afrobeats, with its diverse rhythms, melodies, and cultural richness, has long been recognized as a powerful force that goes beyond mere entertainment.
In recent years, there has been a growing global interest in Afrobeats.
This interest motivated me to embark on deeper research into the profound positive impact of Afrobeats on healing and emotional/mental well-being.
Afrobeat stars like Burna Boy, Tems, Rema, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Asake and others are currently dominating global music charts and earning recognition, including winning Grammy Awards.
Here’s my analysis on why some of the top 4 Afrobeats artists are making waves globally.
Burna Boy’s Afro-Fusion Mastery is second to none. He has created a unique sound that resonates with the souls of music enthusiasts globally, making him a pioneer in the Afro-Fusion movement. This also contributed to his collaborations with international artists, like Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Stormzy etc.
These partnerships contributed to his chart-topping success and Grammy Award.
Tem’s soulful distinctive vocals and Afrobeats style sets her apart. She has an uncanny ability to effortlessly blend various genres, including R&B, soul, and Afrobeats. This versatility helps convey emotion through her vocals and create an intimate soul connection with her audience, establishing her as a standout artist and Grammy Award winner.
Rema’s music is characterized by youthful energy and versatility. He seamlessly switches between genres, from Afrobeats to trap and R&B, thereby appealing to the rhythmic senses of the younger generation globally. The universal quality of his sound transcends cultural boundaries and helped him gain international recognition and collaborations with artists like Drake.
Asake’s Afrobeats style is very unique and authentic. It is also characterized by catchy hooks and infectious soulful melodies that have massively contributed to the commercial success of his sound, making them popular choices globally.
As a stoic, coach, psychotherapist, astute student of human behaviour, Afrobeats enthusiast and Africanist, all rolled into one; After many years of research about and exploration into the therapeutic qualities of sounds, especially Afrobeats and its ability to enhance healing and emotional/mental well-being, I have concluded that; Afrobeats has healing and transformative power, released through its rhythms, vibrations and frequencies, it touches our soul, lifts our spirit and heals.
Afrobeats is medicine.
Afrobeats is a stress BUSTER. It helps rapidly reduce stress. According to Dr Bruce Lipton PhD and the World Health Organisation, “Approximately 90% of Dis-Ease is CAUSED by STRESS.”
According to David Victor in his article titled Harmony and Healing, “The practice of music therapy can be traced back to ancient Greece, where the connection between mind and body was emphasised. The earliest reference to music therapy was in 1789. In the 19th century, researchers proposed music interventions as a form of therapy. In 1914, various reports showed very positive and rapid healing outcomes from using music during and after surgery.”
According to the American Music Therapy Association, Music therapy is used in more than 40 countries around the world today.
From my research, I discovered the followingfour benefits of Afrobeats:
1. It is more than just a melody;
It takes you on a rhythmic journey that connects and resonates with your soul, providing a healing balm for your mind, and releasing endorphins – hormones associated with pleasure – which help reduce your stress levels and rapidly aid in your healing process.
2. It enables and enhances emotional expression; as humans, we sometimes struggle to convey our emotions, especially after or during negative, painful traumatic experiences. Afrobeats’, emotionally charged melodies, are a tested medium to process, express and also release our feelings, serving as a cathartic intervention for emotional regulation and mental balance.
3. It reinforces our core African resilience and strength;
Afrobeats reflects and reinforces our core African spiritual, emotional, mental and physical resilience and strength, having triumphed over decades of adversity.
The vocal narratives in our lyrics of resilience, inspire people currently facing challenges in their lives. I found that “The stories told through Afrobeats, give inspiration that empowers listeners to navigate life’s challenges with a positive mindset.”
4. It creates an instant neurological impact:
Based on my studies supported by several other studies, especially those published in the Journal of Positive Psychology; Engaging with rhythm-driven genres like Afrobeats activates neural pathways in our brain associated with positive emotions, stress reduction, improved mood and the enhancement of emotional/mental well-being.
I therefore conclude that: “Afrobeats is deeply intertwined with our rich African cultural tapestry and is a potent catalyst for rapid healing, stress relief, and positive emotional/mental well-being.
“Afrobeats has the therapeutic potential to heal, unite and create a more loving world, and ultimately inspire emotional/mental resilience.”
I therefore encourage everyone to intentionally embrace the sounds, melodies, vibrations and frequencies of Afrobeats.
It is a very powerful tool that you can use to nurture good health and create holistic well-being.
Shalom
I am The Catalyst
I Transform Minds by Transforming Lives.
•Olusola is the CEO, The Catalyst Coaching Academy, Lekki, Lagos.
