Afrobeats in influenced by traditional Nigerian music,
Yoruba. There are three categories of Yoruba music: traditional song, Christian
song, and Islamic song. It has different functions such as a praise song, a
ceremonial music, or a burial/mourning music.
Different instruments include the
bells (Agogo) a cylindrical metal shaped object which comes in a single, double
or multiple with percussion stick; and the Talking Drum (Gangan), a popular
Yoruba drum made from wood, cone shaped with a leather cover on both ends. The Shaker
(Ṣẹkẹrẹ) is a large gourd with threaded beads woven around gourd, which is tied
on both ends. The back and forth movements of Ṣẹkẹrẹ creates rhythmic sound as
directed by the lead singer or any Ṣẹkẹrẹ holder. The Dundun-Drum is a Gbẹdu
big drum made from wood, beaten in honor of king, or great person.
Yoruba lead to different African music genres, one of them
being highlife music. Highlife originated in Ghana but crossed cultural borders
and was mixed with Yoruba to create Yoruba highlife music and eventually
Afrobeats. Highlife combines certain African elements with western styled
music. Instruments include jazz horns, guitar, and keyboards.
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