What Is Afro House Music?

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Afro House music is a genre of electronic dance music that is influenced by traditional African sounds and rhythms. The music is often characterized by a strong bass line and drumbeat, as well as call-and-response vocals.

Origins of Afro House Music

Afro House music is a genre of electronic dance music that is derived from the use of African sounds and samples. The genre first emerged in South Africa in the early 1990s and has since spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, Europe, and Australia.

African music influences

Afro House music is a genre of electronic dance music that is incorporating elements of African musical styles such as Kuduro, Afrobeat, and Southern African house. The genre developed in the early 2010s in South Africa and Angola.

The music is often characterized by its use ofAfrican percussion and rhythm, as well as vocal chants and samples. Afro House music has been growing in popularity in recent years, with many international DJs and producers starting to incorporate the style into their sets and tracks.

Some of the most famous Afro House tracks come from South African artists such as Black Coffee, Culoe De Song, and Kabza De Small. Afro House music has also been popularized by international DJs such as David Guetta, Martin Garrix, and Diplo.

House music influences

While the term “house music” is typically used to refer to a specific genre of electronic dance music, its origins are actually much more diverse. House music is heavily influenced by disco, soul, and funk, as well as other electronic genres like techno and Chicago house.

The earliest house tracks were typically 12-inches (vinyl records) that were played at clubs in Chicago. These tracks often had a 4/4 beat and featured synthesizers, drum machines, and occasional vocals. House music gained popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s, spreading from Chicago to other major US cities like Detroit, New York, and San Francisco.

In the mid-1990s, house music began to gain popularity in Europe, particularly in countries like the UK and Germany. At the same time, a new subgenre of house known as “afro house” began to emerge. Afro house is a type of house music that incorporates African rhythms and melodies. It’s often a bit slower and more mellow than other types of house music, making it perfect for relaxing or dancing.

Afro house is typically produced by DJs and producers from Africa or the diaspora (African descent), but it’s enjoyed by people all over the world. If you’re looking for something new to listen to, check out some afro house tracks!

Characteristics of Afro House Music

Afro House music is a subgenre of House music that is heavily influenced by African music. The style of Afro House music often includes elements of African percussion, melodies, and rhythms. The drums are usually the driving force behind the music, and the percussion is often very complex. The melodies are often simple and repetitive, but they can also be very catchy.

Rhythmic patterns

Afro house music is a form of electronic dance music (EDM) that is rooted in house music and Afro-centric musical styles such as kuduro, afrobeat, and buried treasure. The genre emerged in the early 2010s in South Africa, and has since spread to other parts of Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Afro house is characterized by its use of traditional African percussion and drums, as well as sampling of traditional African music. The genre often incorporates elements of other EDM subgenres such as tech house, deep house, and tribal house.

The rhythmic patterns in afro house are often complex and layered, with multiple drum lines and percussion instruments playing at once. This can create a chaotic feeling, but also a very dynamic and exciting one. The best afro house tracks are those that can find a balance between the chaos and the groove, resulting in a track that is both mind-bending and danceable.

Melodic elements

The melodic elements of Afro house music are often characterized by wide, open chord progressions and slow, sensual melodies. The chords are often played on a low register, creating a deep, hypnotic sound. The melodies are often catchy and easy to sing along to.

Instrumentation

Afro House music typically features a wide range of instruments, including drums, percussion, bass, keyboards, and guitars. The drums and percussion are often played with electronic sub-bass and synthesizers to create a deep, thumping sound. The bassline is often syncopated and played with a lot of repetition. Guitars are sometimes used for rhythm or lead parts, and keyboards are often used for melody or countermelody.

Notable Afro House Artists

Afro House is a relatively new genre that has emerged from the South African House music scene. The music is a blend of traditional African sounds and instruments with modern House music. The genre has been gaining popularity in recent years, with artists such as Black Coffee and Beatenberg leading the way.

Black Coffee

Notably, Black Coffee is one of the artists at the forefront of the Afro House music genre. Hailing from South Africa, Black Coffee’s unique and soulful sound has captivated audiences around the world. His songs often tell stories of love, heartbreak, and hope, which resonates with many listeners. Black Coffee’s popularity has only continued to grow in recent years, cementing his place as a leading Afro House artist.

Culoe De Song

Culoe De Song is a South African producer and DJ who creates afro house music. His music is influenced by traditional African sounds and rhythms, as well as electronic music. He has released several singles and albums, and has remixed tracks for other artists.

Anane

Anane is a French-born, New York-based DJ, producer, and songwriter. She is perhaps best known for her 2008 hit single “Love & Music”, which topped the US Dance charts and received heavy rotation on dance music radio stations around the world. Anane has released two albums, “Nu World Soul” (2000) and “Crazy Love” (2008), and has collaborated with a number of other notable Afro House artists, such as Louie Vega, Mr. V, and Osunlade.

Conclusion

Afro house is a genre of electronic dance music that is strongly influenced by the traditional music of Africa. The sound is typified by deep, driving basslines, percussion-heavy rhythms, and soulful vocal samples.

The term “afro house” was first coined in the early 2010s, as a way to describe the growing trend of African-influenced house music being produced by artists from all over the world. While the genre has its roots in Africa, afro house has been adopted by DJs and producers from all corners of the globe.

In recent years, afro house has exploded in popularity, thanks in part to the rise of streaming services like Spotify and SoundCloud. These platforms have given rise to a new generation of afro house artists who are able to reach a global audience with their music.

The future of afro house looks bright, as more and more people are exposed to this exciting and vibrant genre of music.

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