However, it is important to distinguish between the classic Afrobeat (the 1960s/70s genre) and the modern Afrobeats (the 21st-century pop sound) that you see today. ​1. The Pioneer: Fela Kuti​Fela Kuti created Afrobeat in the late 1960s in Nigeria.

It wasn’t just music; it was a movement. He blended: ​Traditional Yoruba music ​Highlife ​American Jazz and Funk (heavily influenced by James Brown) ​Political Activism​2. The Engine Room: Tony Allen​While Fela was the face and voice, his legendary drummer Tony Allen is considered a co-founder. Fela once famously said, “Without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat.”

Tony Allen’s unique polyrhythmic drumming style (using all four limbs to play different rhythms simultaneously) provided the “grid” that the entire genre was built upon. ​3. The Modern Term: “Afrobeats” (with an ‘s’)​The modern pop sound (Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido) is often called Afrobeats to distinguish it from Fela’s original sound.​The “Founders” of Modern Afrobeats: Producers like Don Jazzy (Mo’ Hits Records) and artists like D’banj and 2Face Idibia are often credited with pioneering the commercial, pop-heavy sound in the early 2000s that evolved into the global force it is in 2026.​The Naming:

The term “Afrobeats” was actually coined in London around 2011 by DJ Abrantee to package this new wave of West African pop music for UK radio. ​Quick Comparison

Classic Afrobeat (Fela) Modern Afrobeats (S)Era 1960s – 1990s 2000s – PresentStructure Long (10-20 min), big bands Short (3 min), digital productionThemes Political, anti-corruption Lifestyle, love, hustleKey Instrument Saxophone & live percussion Digital