TRACING THE BEAT FROM FELA KUTI TO AFRO NATION
BY UYOJO JEREMIAH
Sun drenched beaches, breezy weather and the arts-cape of Miami gives a captivating atmosphere. Imagine this background with beautiful ladies and dashing men at the 40,000 capacity Loan Depot Park for an electrifying Afrobeats concert. When top performers like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Fireboy DML, Shenseea, Beenie Man, Sech, BNXN, Franglish, and Gyakie share a stage, the least you can expect is a city on fire.
This electrifying line up provides a glimpse of the Miami edition of Afro Nation for mainland North America which created a fusion of music, culture, and celebration that Africa is known for.
Miami’s choice as the host city for the 2023 Afro Nation was inevitable when you consider the strong link between Africa and Miami. The vibrant entertainment and hospitality industries in Miami backed by commerce, culture, arts, and international trade make Miami a destination of choice for African artists. As the largest urban economy in Florida, Miami provides the perfect backdrop for Afro Nation, aligning with its class of showcasing the best of African music and culture on a global stage.
Pioneered in the 60s by the legendary musician and political activist Fela Kuti, Afrobeats has emerged as a significant musical genre with far-reaching impacts on the world. Its growing popularity has led to a surge in demand for African music festivals, concerts, and events, contributing to the economic growth of local communities.
The success of Afrobeats in Miami’s music scene is an incredible example of an age long cultural exchange that has contributed to the growth of Afrobeats globally. Miami is not just a base for top African artists, it is a grooming center.
Far back in 1983 when Nigeria’s King Sunny Ade first visited America, transporting his Juju music with a lilting and rhythmic traditional African sound to the USA, Americans were jamming at concert halls across the country to hear him and his Nigerian band play. The inviting pulse of the music immediately brought the audience to the large dance floor (a requisite for a King Sunny concert).
As his 22-city concert swing through North America, he gained royalty status in the U.S. and the tour included a concert in Miami, Florida on March 6, 1983.
In November 2007, Youssou N’Dour and the Super Etoile of Dakar, Senegal performed at the Gusman Theater in Miami, promoting their new release, Rokku Mi Rokka. Angelique Kidjo, one of Africa’s most successful international performers, graced the stage at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami in March 2010, with her unique soul and lyrical style.
The Miami New Year Carnival at the Biscayne Bay Amphitheater in 2022 featured South African Grammy Award winner Nomcebo Zikole performing her world-renowned song “Jerusalema.”
Miami has earned a well-deserved place in the annals of history for its significant contribution to promoting Afrobeats music globally, maybe second only to Lagos. The city’s passion for Afrobeats has created a unique and dynamic music culture that is worthy of recognition and admiration. To keen observers, this is the beginning of the rise and the rise of African music in Miami.
