This article was updated July 28 at 12:30 p.m. to reflect these genres’ African origins and status as standalone genres.
Established acts like Burna Boy, MUZI, Elaine, Mr Eazi, Yemi Alade, and Wizkid have contributed immensely to the diverse sound of African music, resulting in international recognition and multiple GRAMMY wins.
Stateside, Billboard recently launched a U.S. Afrobeats song chart and the Recording Academy awarded the first-ever Best Global Music Performance GRAMMY, which honors a song by a global artist. At the 2022 GRAMMYs, vocalist and producer Arooj Aftab won the category, making history as the first Pakistani woman to win a GRAMMY.
The global explosion of Afrobeats has since helped build an important bridge connecting African music genres with American audiences, specifically Black Americans. As breakout stars such as Odunsi, Ladipoe, Fireboy DML and Yxng Bane continue to put a new spin on sounds from regions across the Motherland, it is way past time for listeners in the United States to salute these barrier-breakers.
While there's more excitement to come, this is a must-share list of five African genres adjacent to Afrobeats that you should enjoy and get your gwara gwara on to.
Ndombolo
Artists: Extra Musica, Wenge Musica, Papa Wemba
What To Know: Considered both a music genre and a dance from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ndombolo is also popular in other African countries such as Madagascar, Tanzania, and Kenya. It has dominated dancefloors across the Motherland and is famous for its fast pace and furious footwork — no party would be complete without its inclusion. For those with a rebellious attitude, this is a genre that has been king in the African music scene and still appeals to people of all ages.
Afroswing
Artists: Not3s, Yxng Bang, Young T & Bugsey, WSTRN, Darkoo
What To Know: This very successful derivative of dancehall and Afrobeats was developed in the United Kingdom during the mid-2010s. Also known as Afrobashment, the genre is similar to the consistently popular British drill and grime genres,.
Afroswing has caught on thanks to the likes of J Hus, Afro B, Juls, Naira Marley, and more, greatly due to its always-hot-and-ready vibes and Black British English slang delivering contagious flows.
Soukous
Artists: Koffi Olomide, Antoine Kolosoy, Sam Mangwana, Tabu Ley Rochereau
What To Know: Descending from the French word secousse, which means to "shock, jolt, or jerk," and 1960s Congolese rumba, Soukous is a celebrated genre of dance music from Congo-Kinshasha and Congo-Brazzaville.
Differing from its origins, soukous is a hybrid style of music incorporating different global sounds from Congolese folk music, American soul, and Latin and Caribbean jazz and dance rhythms. Its higher tempo and longer dance sequences make modern stars such as Rigo Star, Loketo, and Aurlus Mabele names to add to your growing playlist.
Amapiano
Artists: Mellow & Sleazy, Casper Nyovest, DJ Maphorisa, Spura
What To Know: A style of house music that emerged out of South Africa, Amapiano — which in isiZulu and isiXhosa translates to "the pianos" — is a combination of deep house, jazz, R&B, and lounge music. One of the most contagious sounds coming out of the Motherland, Amapiano's synths, airy pads, and percussive basslines have increased in popularity thanks to work by Muzi, Nkosazana Daughter, and Kabza De Small.
In 2019, the genre became saw noted increases in digital streams and chart successes outside of South Africa, highlighting just how impactful this genre will continue to be in years to come.
Alté
Artists: Odunsi (The Engine), AYLO, Lady Donli, Tay Iwar\
\
What To Know: Fusing elements of Afrobeats, hip hop, dancehall, reggae, and alt-R&B, the DRB LasGidi-coined term has quickly become a unique way of offering a relaxed, laid back, and stylish offering that differs from the faster-paced grooves coming out of Africa.
Locally pronounced in Nigeria as "uhl-teh," Alté is taken from the word "alternative" and describes how these artists excel in rebelling against mainstream categorization.
Rising Alté stars such as Tems and Tomi Agape are uncompromising, talented voices that are punk rock when compared to Nigeria’s nation-state conservative. Alté has become a welcomed subculture that pours light and hopes into all that audiophiles can enjoy.