Relive the groundbreaking The Rise of Afrobeats – the award-nominated BBC Radio 1Xtra documentary.

The global domination of artists like Tyla, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Tems began in 2011 when the genre’s influence started its meteoric rise. The Rise of Afrobeats not only chronicles how Afrobeats reshaped pop music, infiltrating mainstream culture with hits like ‘Oliver Twist’ and ‘African Queen’, but also pays tribute to the pivotal role of key figures like 1Xtra’s DJ Edu in shaping the movement. The BBC Radio 1Xtra’s production even predicted the emergence of Amapiano eleven years later, a testament to the foresight and influence of the documentary’s contributors. Remi Burgz introduces this 2024 edition, edited from the original 2012 broadcast version.

The Rise of Afrobeats honours the origin and legacy of world-class music and its enduring impact on the music industry and as a cultural phenomenon. Note: Producer Bernard P Achampong was nominated for the Best Music Entertainment Production Award at the Radio Production Awards 2013.

Hosted by DJ Edu / Produced and mixed by Bernard P Achampong

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