These African beats gained global attention in 2024

While Afrobeats and Amapiano have been the dominant genres in previous years, gaining international recognition and expanding their listener base with each new release, Spotify data for 2024 reveals that a wider range of African music genres are also capturing global attention.

From Ghana’s Hiplife to Alte in Nigeria, here are African music genres that gained global attention in 2024.

Hiplife and Highlife

Spotify Wrapped 2024 unveiled that Hiplife and Highlife from Ghana, rooted in the country’s rich cultural history, were highly exported in 2024 due to their fusion of traditional Highlife melodies with contemporary beats that kept them globally relevant.

According to Spotify, artists like King Paluta, Fameye, and KiDi led the trend by blending traditional Highlife melodies with modern sounds. Fameye’s ‘Very Soon’ and King Paluta’s ‘Aseda’ exemplify the evolving genre, as Highlife had a 54 percent increase in global streams.

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Arbantone

In Kenya, Arbantone, a genre mainly characterised by beats from samples of Kenyan old-school hits, grew significantly in 2024. This sound, which combines elements of Gengetone and old Jamaican riddims and was led by a wave of young rappers, captivated young audiences during the year.

Arbantone quickly rose on local music charts partially due to viral dance challenges on social media. Songs like Dyana Cods’ ‘Set It’ became one of Kenya’s most popular Arbantone songs, securing the number 3 most streamed Arbantone track in Kenya as revealed by the 2024 Spotify Wrapped data.

Alte

According to Spotify, Alté, which originated from Nigeria, is becoming more popular abroad and is now the country’s fourth-most exported genre in 2024, with tracks like ‘Soh-Soh’ by Odeal and Amaarae’s ‘Wanted’ leading in streaming numbers for the genre.

Countries like Ghana have embraced the sound with over 60 billion Spotify streams, with Alté now having 41 percent more global plays than it did a year ago.

The likes of Amaarae, Lady Donli, and Odunsi (The Engine) paved the way for a new generation of artists like DEELA, DETO BLACK, and Brazy to tap into Alté’s rebellious, bold, and unconventional brand of self-expression.

The global success of Alté-influenced musicians like Tems, Rema, and Odeal symbolises how the genre is taking its place in mainstream music culture.

Afro House

South Africa’s Afro House, known for its deep rhythms and soulful vocals, has become a favourite in electronic music circles around the world. Artists such as DESIREE and DJ Shimza have been instrumental in influencing the growth of Afro House.

DESIREE blends African rhythms with modern electronic sounds, while DJ Shimza’s electrifying global performances have propelled the genre to new heights. As more artists worldwide incorporate African sounds into their music, the genre has influenced global dance floors.

Afrobeats and Amapaino

Afrobeats continues to lead Africa’s music revolution, evolving rapidly and driving the movement forward. According to Spotify data, in 2024, the genre saw a 28 percent increase in global streaming. Tracks like ‘Santa’ highlighted Afrobeats’ versatility, while ‘Calm Down’ underscored its international appeal. Collaborations with artists like Skillibeng, Tyla, and Gunna showcase the genre’s adaptability and growing popularity.

Amapiano, meanwhile, has emerged as Africa’s fastest-growing genre, with a 59 percent increase in global streaming in 2024. This is another sign that the future of global music will undoubtedly feature even more beats, grooves, and melodies from the continent.