Why Do London Venues Refuse to Host Afrobeats Events?| Sounds D'Afrique

First, The holiday season 🎄 is fast approaching. And if you're a genuine fan of Afrobeats then you know that this is the season when the biggest and best Afrobeats events take place. After all, what better way is there to celebrate the upcoming festivities than a good ole Afrobeats day party🎉🥳?

You'll get good food, lots of drinks, and make new friends, all the while dancing💃 away to the music phenomenon known as Afrobeats.  

Isn't that what the holiday season is all about? Making merry with friends, family👪, and random strangers with a love for a particular music genre. 

But have you ever noticed how the Afrobeats events all seem to hold at Afrocentric venues? As popular as the genre is, should it be restricted to a specific type of venue? You'd think that mainstream venues would have gotten on board with the #afrobeatstotheworld bandwagon.

The Rising Popularity of Afrobeats

Afrobeats has been one of the continent's largest exports in recent years. When the rest of the world finally started feeling the beat🪘, it shocked no one but the international community. Instead of being surprised, many Africans adopted an attitude of "it's about time." 

And that's largely because music is ingrained in our culture. We use music 🎹 to express ourselves. We use it to tell stories of our history. It was a critical part of our communication system. We turn to it when we're sad 😞 and when we're happy😃.

Music🎶 is so much a part of us that one cannot fully appreciate African culture without appreciating the music. As people left the continent for other countries, they were bound to take this integral part of our culture with them. Likewise, when people visit Africa, they are bound to encounter our music 🎷 wherever they go.

It was a foregone conclusion that our music was going to spread to different corners of the world 🌍. When artists like Femi Kuti, Angelique Kidjo, and Burna Boy started winning Grammys, Africans all over the world cheered 📣 because our music was finally receiving international recognition.

Challenges to Hosting Afrobeats Events

With all the popularity and increase in visibility, why is it difficult to find London venues to host Afrobeats events? The genre is no longer a secret pleasure enjoyed by a few people from Africa. DJs are now adding it to their regular playlists at nightclubs and other social gatherings. People from all walks of life are listening 👂 to it.

But when it comes to attending an Afrobeats day party, it'll most likely be hosted at an Afrocentric venue. 

Why you may wonder🤔.

Unfortunately, many people still struggle to see Afrobeats as the international phenomenon it is. They fail to recognize that fans of the genre are not restricted to Africans.

Afrobeats has crossed racial and country divides. It has amassed fans all over the world🌍 with its Hip Hop and dancehall music influences. Though a reflection of the culture of the people of Africa, it is a testament to how globalization is bringing the world closer together. 

It should not be boxed in by archaic stereotypes and restricted to specific venues.

Continued Growth of Afrobeats

Luckily, as Afrobeats continues to grow in popularity, it will get to a point where it will splinter off into smaller subgroups (Afrorock, perhaps?🤔). It will get to a point where it will be played in elevators or grocery stores. 

Afrobeats will continue to grow until it permeates our daily lives, much as it does on the continent where it was born. 

At that time, fans of the genre will not need to struggle to find Afrobeats events or go to special venues for day parties.