Celebrated Ghanaian rapper M.anifest has expressed his disapproval of the growing tendency to attach the prefix 'Afro' to new African music genres and their derivatives. In a recent interview on the African Imagery Podcast, M.anifest stated that he is appalled by the knack to name African music genres and their derivatives with the prefix 'Afro'. He emphasized that every genre created doesn't have to be 'Afro' something, and that Africans should let their imaginations run free to create new forms of music.
M.anifest's comments come as a surprise to many, given that the 'Afro' tag has been used by several African musicians in the past. Guy Warren, aka Kofi Ghanaba, was one of the first musicians to use the 'Afro' tag for a genre, coining the term Afro-Jazz to describe his kind of music. This was long before Fela Kuti conceived Afrobeat. Kofi Ghanaba's experiment with Afro-Jazz was a result of his desire to fuse jazz with Afro-Caribbean drumming.
The use of the 'Afro' prefix has continued to evolve over the years, with various genres emerging. In the 1980s, Afro-pop became established as a broad label for African popular music. This genre was initially marketed internationally as 'Afro-pop' before London-based record companies and music journalists adopted 'World Music' as a broader marketing category in 1986/87. The term has since been used to describe a wide range of African music styles.
The term 'Afrobeats', with the 's', gained popularity in the mid-2000s, thanks to DJ Abrantee. It was used as an umbrella term for West African pop music, and was later developed into a more marketable brand by Nigerians. The genre has brought considerable recognition to Nigeria and the continent as a whole. However, some Afrobeats giants have expressed reservations about the name, preferring to identify their music as Afrofusion, AfroSoul, AfroRock, or AfroDancehall.
M.anifest's comments have sparked a renewed debate about the use of the 'Afro' prefix in African music genres. While some may argue that the prefix has helped to create a sense of unity and identity among African musicians, others may agree with M.anifest that it has become too restrictive. The debate highlights the ongoing struggle to define and categorize African music.
The evolution of African music genres has been shaped by various factors, including cultural exchange and technological advancements. As African musicians continue to experiment with new sounds and styles, the debate about the use of the 'Afro' prefix is likely to continue. M.anifest's comments have added fuel to the fire, and it will be interesting to see how the music industry responds.
The discussion about the 'Afro' prefix is not just about music; it's also about identity and cultural expression. As Africans continue to assert their cultural identity on the global stage, the debate about how to categorize and label their music will remain a contentious issue. M.anifest's comments have provided a timely reminder that the conversation is far from over.
Key points
- M.anifest criticizes the trend of prefixing 'Afro' to new African music genres.
- The use of the 'Afro' prefix has a long history, dating back to the 1950s.
- The debate about the 'Afro' prefix highlights the ongoing struggle to define and categorize African music.
