From Africa to Asia: Asian Artists Embracing Afrobeat:

I was listening to this Afrobeat track titled Bolo by a Korean rapper and R&B artist known as Penomeco. First of all, just mentioning Korean and Afrobeat just sounds strange but it’s true. Asians are now singing Afrobeat songs and the annoying thing is that they are damn good. I am not sure whether to be angry or happy with the fact that African music is maturing to a point that the rest of the world is not just listening and enjoying it but they are picking up pen, paper and microphones to compose songs in African genres. While we have been busy doing the same for years, it kind of feels strange when they also start doing it.

I start to get sentiments of copyright but it doesn’t apply in this case. You can’t copyright an arrangement or a whole music genre. The reason for this is simple: there is nothing new under the sun. The purpose of copyright is to incentivize new creations, but overly broad protection can actually harm innovations.

The trend of Asian artists exploring and incorporating African music styles into their own work is a testament to the global reach and appeal of Afrobeat music. It speaks to the universality of the genre, and its ability to bring people together across cultural and linguistic boundaries.

While Africans might initially feel a sense of discomfort or resentment, it’s important to remember that music has always been a shared and evolving art form. Different cultures have always borrowed and incorporated elements from each other to create new and unique styles.

In terms of the long-term implications, it could lead to greater exposure and popularity for Afrobeat music on a global scale, as well as more opportunities for collaboration and cultural exchange between African and Asian artists. Additionally, if Asian artists start to win awards for Afrobeat songs, this could lead to a more diverse representation of the genre and the artists within it.

However, it’s also important to acknowledge that cultural appropriation can be a sensitive issue, and it’s crucial for artists to respect and pay homage to the origins of the music they are borrowing from. As long as this is done in a respectful and informed manner, the trend of Asian artists singing Afrobeat songs could lead to a more inclusive and diverse music industry.

The trend of Asian artists exploring Afrobeat music is a sign of the genre’s continued growth and popularity. It has the potential to bring about new opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration, as well as increased exposure and recognition for Afrobeat music. However, it’s important for artists to approach this trend with sensitivity and respect for the origins of the genre. By doing so, the trend could lead to a more inclusive and diverse music industry where different cultures can come together to create new and unique styles.

Geoffrey Ekongot
Music Industry Consultant