Audio By Carbonatix
Afrobeats is more than just a music genre, rather, it is a culture, according to the co-founder of African music festival, Afro Nation.
Obi Asika collaborated with music magazine, Billboard, to launch the US' first ever Afrobeats Chart last month, in a project that took two years to plan.
The chart will be a way to help fans and other people in the music industry connect with the Afrobeats genre, Mr Asika told the BBC’s Africa Today podcast.
The chart - which currently features the likes of Fireboy DML's Peru, Ckay’s Love Nwantiti and Wizkid’s Essence all in the top three - is a means to show the "deep quality and talent that exists" in the genre, Mr Asika said.
"There is going to be lots of different genres that we are going to put into one and call it Afrobeats under one title that people understand," he continued. These different genres include South African Amapiano that is making "major waves", as well as music from various African groups including those in the diaspora, Portuguese, French and Spanish-speaking groups.
Although Nigerian artists are usually the musicians associated with Afrobeats, for Mr Asika the chart represents much more than West African music alone.
"For me it means a whole cultural movement," he said.
"It’s something that sums up so much that’s good about African culture [...] from the music to the art to the fashion."
Latest Stories
-
Kwakye Ofosu says cost of living eased under Mahama government
49 minutes -
Total banking deposits stood at GH¢302.0bn in October 2025, but foreign currency deposits contracted by 21%
1 hour -
Interior Minister calls for collective action to enhance security in Ashanti Region
1 hour -
Baobab: Tree of life dying as climate change ravages Northern Ghana
1 hour -
Extradition of Ofori-Atta and Tamakloe-Attinou could take up to three years – Victoria Bright
1 hour -
Government pledges support for Accra commuters amid transport challenges
1 hour -
GES probes alleged feeding problems at Savelugu Senior High School
1 hour -
Government is reviewing Saglemi Housing deal and private takeover – Kwakye Ofosu
2 hours -
Nana Ama McBrown, Kate Henshaw headline Women of Valour London 2026
2 hours -
David Asante’s contributions at GPCL must be recognised – Vicky Bright
2 hours -
I don’t want my people to be mistreated by ICE — Ambassador Victor Smith tells US Senator
2 hours -
Detained fugitives: If you’re not prepared to be accountable, don’t hold public office – Vicky Bright
2 hours -
Adutwum outlines vision for a growth-minded Ghana, draws lessons from global experiences
2 hours -
I wish former CSA boss Dr Antwi-Boasiako continues in office – Sampson Lardy
2 hours -
Kotoko maintain title ambition despite mixed results – Sarfo Duku
2 hours
