The blending of sounds, in both modern and early Afrobeat songs creates an infectious beat that people can't help but move to. Afrobeat artists use traditional West African rhythms to create colorful polyrhythms using many rhythms. In the days of Fela Kuti, big bands were used to perform the songs. These instruments include
Rhythm guitar
Tenor guitar
Bass guitar
Drum set, generally in the form polyrhythmic percussion
Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone
Organ/keyboards
Conga drums
Akuba: a set of 3 small stick-hit congas (play flourishes/solos, and ostinatos). Also mistakenly called "gbedu" (gbedu is the name of a large ceremonial drum).
"Sticks"/claves (plays ostinato)
Shekere
Along with lead and back up vocals
Any Afrobeats band had one or more of these instruments present. Saxophones and trumpets were known to be essential parts in an Afrobeats band
Modern Afrobeats, however, tends to use "electronic sounds, grooves, synths, hip-hop kicks." Even though it uses these modern sounds, it still stays true to the polyrhythms heard in earlier music. Whether it's early or modern Afrobeats, fans of the genre can't deny that the sounds they here draw them to each song they like.
-Diana Perpignan
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