Afrobeat

noun

Af·​ro·​beat ˈa-frō-ˌbēt How to pronounce Afrobeat (audio)
: urban popular music originating in Nigeria in the late 1960s that emphasizes percussion rhythms and features elements of jazz and funk and lyrics which are often strongly political

Examples of Afrobeat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The upper level caters to a nightclub experience filled with soulful sounds from a fusion of Afrobeats, Caribbean, house and old-school R&B. Jewel Wicker, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025 There was a period where Afrobeats artists were defining their own genres. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025 Fela was the father of Afrobeat, but also an outspoken critic of dictatorship and oppression. Funmi Fetto, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2025 The Beverly Art Walk will be capped by an after party highlighted by world music performers Chicago Afrobeat Project at Nicky’s of Beverly, 105th Street and Western Avenue. Daily Southtown, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Afrobeat

Word History

Etymology

afro- + beat entry 2

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Afrobeat was in 1969

Cite this Entry

“Afrobeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Afrobeat. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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