Umbrella term for West African dance styles tied to Afrobeats music (Nigerian, Ghanaian origins) that exploded globally in the late 2010s through viral challenges and pop culture.
Key Styles & Moves
Azonto (Ghana, 2011-2013): Mimetic dance (everyday actions), Fuse ODG “Antenna” popularized
Alkayida (Ghana, 2014-2015): Arm-swinging, leg-lifting, Patoranking “Girlie O”
Shaku Shaku (Nigeria, 2017-2018): Shoulder-shaking, leg slide, Olamide “Wo” viral
Zanku (Legwork) (Nigeria, 2018-2019): Intricate footwork, Zlatan Ibile, Naira Marley
Gwara Gwara (South Africa, 2017): One-armed swing, viral via Rihanna, Childish Gambino “This Is America”
Skelewu (Nigeria, 2013): Davido song, dance challenge precursor to TikTok era
2016-2023 Global Explosion
Wizkid & Drake “One Dance” (2016): Introduced Afrobeats to global pop, dance moves followed
Beyoncé The Lion King: The Gift (2019): “Already” video featured African choreography, Shatta Wale, diaspora visibility
TikTok (2019-2023): Afrobeats challenges viral (#Zanku, #Amapiano), African creators leading trends (not just consuming Western trends)
Festivals: Afro Nation (Portugal, Ghana, USA), Afrobeats dance workshops globally
Cultural Significance
- Decolonizing dance: African styles influencing global pop (reversal of historical appropriation)
- African diaspora pride: Connecting to roots, cultural reclamation
- Economic power: Dance challenges driving music sales, artists leveraging TikTok
Afrobeats vs Afrobeat
Afrobeat (1970s): Fela Kuti, political, jazz/funk fusion, live instrumentation
Afrobeats (2010s): Pop genre, electronic production, Nigerian/Ghanaian mainstream music
Both have dance cultures, but Afrobeats is current global movement.
Artists & Songs
Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Mr Eazi, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, Rema, Ayra Starr
Related
- #Afrobeats, #Wizkid, #BurnaBoy, #TikTokDance, #AfricanCulture