{"id":4692,"date":"2023-01-05T17:36:48","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T22:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/read.streamapse.com\/?p=4692"},"modified":"2026-04-13T16:58:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T21:58:23","slug":"global-mobility-election-songs-placemaking-albums-and-tems-afrobeats-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/streamapse.com\/Magazine\/?p=4692","title":{"rendered":"Global Mobility, Election Songs, Placemaking Albums \u2013 And\u00a0Tems: Afrobeats In 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than Nollywood<\/a> films, Afrobeats<\/a> is arguably Nigeria\u2019s strongest cultural export since the turn of the millennium. It is a hugely dynamic music category that incorporates a range of moods, languages, styles, and existing genres. To understand its impact, a cultural connoisseur has equated<\/a> good Afrobeats music with well-made, smoky Nigerian party jollof rice<\/a>!<\/p>\n

As suggested, the core of Afrobeats is celebratory pop music originating from Nigeria, West Africa and beyond. In 2022, Afrobeats artists were regular names on the global stage, winning awards, featuring on Hollywood soundtracks, packing out stadiums and even getting their own music charts in the UK<\/a> and US<\/a>. The exhibition<\/a> Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: Afrobeat Rebellion opened, with a pilgrimage of the Afrobeats community to Paris \u2013 to pay homage to the Nigerian musician<\/a> who helped create Afrobeat<\/a>, which ultimately spawned<\/a> Afrobeats.<\/p>\n

At home in Nigeria, some Afrobeats artists started to become more politically conscious while big names competed to release landmark albums. The Hollywood film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever<\/a> held its African premiere<\/a> in Lagos with an Afrobeats-drenched soundtrack<\/a> highlighting the talents of Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Election season<\/h2>\n

In Nigeria in 2022, Afrobeats had an additional layer due to the run-up to the 2023 general elections<\/a> in February. In my study<\/a> on the relationship between pop music and electoral consciousness, I mapped a number of ways that popular musicians influence the electoral terrain \u2013 and how the electoral terrain influences popular music in Nigeria. Among these was the positive development of pop stars setting the campaign agenda for political parties and politicians by addressing challenges in society.<\/p>\n

Take, for example, Electricity<\/a> by Pheelz<\/a> and Davido<\/a>, one of the year\u2019s bigger singles. It addresses the burning subject that Nigeria is so poorly electrified. It subtly yet loudly sets the agenda for the political class to solve the problem and improve lives. It is a non-partisan electoral season hit that resonates with audiences while keeping politicians on their toes.<\/p>\n