- Sampling songs continues to grow in practice, especially in Afrobeats
- These samples often pay homage to the previous generations while preserving history and culture
- This list spotlights 6 most recent Afrobeats samples in 2024
Popular Afrobeats stars are infusing their music taste with nostalgic sounds that have historical or cultural resonance.
This attempt to pay homage to music legends and Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti and, most importantly, preserve the genre's roots through long forgotten songs. It also means to reintroduce classic Afrobeats songs to the young and new generation of listeners.
In analysing some Afrobeats songs which are spill offs of old songs. TheRadar highlights six most recent samples that bridged generational gaps in Afrobeats history and culture.
6 Afrobeats song samples released in 2024
1. Tems - Love me Jeje
Grammy award winning artiste, Tems explored a tribute to Seyi’s Sodimi’s 1997 hit song of the same name. The evocative song combines contemporary style with nostalgic style of classic Afrobeats. She is notably the first to sample the song as there are no previous artistes who have done so.
Singer Tems
2. Olamide - Morowore
The track comes off of Olamide’s recent Ikigai Album. ‘Morowore’, a Yoruba phrase translating to ‘Hand of God’ speaks of gratitude and acknowledgement of God's presence in the artiste’s life. It is a sample of IK Dairo’s song ‘Mo Wa Dupe’ released in 2002. Olamide, with a blend of laid back vibes, sampled it with a choir backed chorus to create a new gospel feel version.
3. Adekunle Gold - Rodo
Adekunle Gold blended Afrobeats with Amapiano to make his recent single Rodo different. The track is energetic and sizzling. Rodo which is Yoruba word for ‘pepper’ (but implies fiery heat in this context) brings a new contemporary style to its sample of Musiliu Ishola's classic Apala song Soyoyo. AG Baby, popular for his fusion of Afrobeats, highlife and Afropop delivered on this track.
4. Simi - Jowo
Nigerian songwriter and singer Simisola Kosoko delivered her a new sample of ‘Jowo’ originally sung by Music legend Ebenzer Obey in 1989. She thrilled her listeners with the amazing version. The notable part is featuring Ebenezer Obey on the same track. This is not usually the case.
5. Tems - Wickedest
Wickedest from Tems Born in the Wild album features a sample from Ivorian quartet Magic System 1er Gaou. The nostalgia hit evokes memories for Africans. This track simply touches on her impact and achievements on the Afrobeats scene. “Three years and I'm only just starting,” she says to hints on her prospects in the industry.
6. Johnny Drille - Palava
In May, John Ighodaro, popularly known as Johnny Drille made a comeback with Palava. The track is a sample of Ekwe, which was originally sung by Original Stereoman in the early 2000s. Away from his usual solemn love songs, Johnny Drille delivers a jumpy happy groove on this one.
Music projects expected to drop in second half of 2024
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that some music albums would be released in the second half of 2024, as fans have expressed their anticipation of projects from some of their favorite artistes.
Asake, D’banj and Victony are among the artistes expected to release musical projects as the year enters the second half.
