As the curtain descends in 2023, it has been a captivating cinematic journey in the realm of Afrobeats, leaving an indelible mark on the global musical landscape.
Originally pioneered by the legendary Fela Kuti, the Afrobeats genre has undergone a remarkable transformation, seamlessly crossing over into mainstream airwaves and engaging in collaborative ventures on a global scale. This evolution has propelled Afrobeats to the forefront, resulting in its dominance at international award ceremonies, electrifying performances in sold-out stadiums worldwide, and commanding top billing at prestigious global festivals.
As we bid farewell to the year, it’s opportune to reflect on the best Afrobeats music videos of 2023, a testament to the genre’s enduring influence and its ability to captivate audiences across the globe.
Spyro has established himself as an inspirational, clean, and family-friendly artist. The Who’s Your Guy remix music video is a colourful and family-friendly visual without relatable lyrics, focusing on themes of friendship, loyalty, and love. Spyro is dedicated to bringing a godly influence to the secular music industry, regardless of the time it may take. The music video on YouTube has currently amassed 102 million views.
Terminator by King Promise and Young John continues to break international boundaries. The music video incorporates the latest TikTok musical challenge, showcasing captivating dance moves. The choreography in the video has significantly contributed to its heightened global recognition. The Ghanaian singer has undeniably crafted a masterpiece.
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Reason is an open letter to fans preaching peace of mind. “What is the reason you do not have your own peace of mind?” is a question directed to the audience, The music video opens with a light and energetic guitar percussion followed by black and edgy dancers. Omah Lay opened up about his latest album Boy Alone. The artiste confessed that he was in a bad mental state during the production of the songs on this album.
City Boy is a fan favourite off Burna Boy’s I Told Them album. City Boy was one of the songs that became even more famous due to its Tiktok Challenge. The music video opens with Burna Boy riding through town in a yellow Ferrari and posts up on a corner store with his crew — which, for a brief moment, includes Quavo. Burna Boy sampled J Hus’s IG Story intro on City Boy. The music video gives the audience a preview of what it means to be a City Boy.
The Stamina music video kicks off with wooden figures mimicking Tiwa Savage, Young Jonn, and Ayra Starr, set against traditional backdrops. The wall inscriptions feature drawings of goddess-like women. Tiwa Savage curates a pink garden utopia in the video, where she and her dancers don pink wings amid lush green surroundings. The video is characterized by a palette of white, pink, blue, and green hues.
2:30 is one of the opulent tracks from Asake’s Work of Art album. The music video, shot in LA, begins with a multitude of beautiful women and Asake immersing himself in the vibrant nightlife. The lyrics echo his sentiment: “2:30 fe lu, oya, ka turn up, ki’le to mo,” translating to “2:30 is almost here, let’s turn up before the morning comes.” In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Asake shared, “My music talks about life in general. So I draw inspiration from my real-life experiences to encourage everyone who thinks their present reality is constant; I want them to always remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
BNXN whisks music enthusiasts from Lagos to Gwagwalada (Abuja) with his track. The visualizer begins with a trench view and showcases dancers adorned in black and white nun attire. In the music video, BNXN, Seyi Vibez, and Kizz Daniel appear to be gearing up for an interview. The track soared to the No.1 spot on Apple Music’s Top 100 and has garnered an impressive over 32 million streams on Spotify, attesting to its widespread popularity.
Everyone likes money and that is what Adekunle Gold is trying to say with Ogaranya. The word is derived from the Igbo tribe which means “individual of immense wealth who utilizes their resources to assist others”. AG Baby’s music career goes back to the days when he was singing Ire and Pick Up. However, all that has changed; from his lyrics to his name. In the visualizer, AG Baby is seen wearing a black shiny outfit, spraying money and partying hard.
Feel was one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2023. Before the release of the video Davido had dropped hits like calling the music video a “movie” and saying things like “I’m proud to say that’s my first N100 million video”. The video opens with an apocalyptic setting and tells a story that follows Davido and his love interest on their challenging journey towards finding each other in an apocalyptic world.
My G music video stars popular influencer Enioluwa and is directed by TG Omori. Off his Maverick album, My G became viral on TikTok due to a challenge associated with the song. The challenge has got people highlighting expensive items that they own and citing their costs in sync with the song’s lyrics. My G music video opens with an orchestral setting and social media sensation Enioluwa flaunting millions of naira.
Shallipopi has reshaped the landscape of street music, and his latest release, Obapluto, reflects his Benin heritage through captivating visuals. The song opens with Shallipopi’s arrival in a village setting, immersing viewers in a cultural experience. Every character in the music video dons Edo beads and headgear, with the inclusion of the renowned Benin Masquerades. Notably, the presence of Pa Monday Edo Igbinidu, one of the original contributors to the track, signifies a harmonious resolution to any previous issues or disputes regarding the sampling of the song. This presence suggests that Shallipopi and Pa Monday have found an amicable resolution, enhancing the collaborative spirit of the project.
Common Person music video displays a relatable story of average Nigerians. Burna Boy arrived in a relatable village setting to help its indigenes with their daily chores. At the end of a hectic day, Burna Boy became the life of the party. The lyrics, melody, and story show that Burna Boy’s wealth and stardom do not make him more special than the average Nigerian.
In the initial months following its release, Sability quickly garnered 14 million views on YouTube. The music video features Korty EO and Temi Otedola as its captivating video vixens. Ayra Starr, dubbing herself “Sabi girl,” signifying someone who possesses expertise in their craft, aptly demonstrates this moniker in the video. The visual spectacle showcases electric dance moves and catchy beats that complement Ayra Starr’s musical prowess.
Basquiat emerges as a fan favourite from Asake’s Work of Art album. The music video kicks off with an opulent scene, featuring Asake lounging on a yacht surrounded by beautiful women. As the video unfolds, Asake is seen throwing paint onto a blank canvas, adding a visually artistic element to the narrative.
Upon its debut on October 7, 2022, Abracadabra saw the rappers taking a bold step by featuring Wizkid, widely recognised as Starboy, on a remix early in 2023. Wizkid’s musical prowess brought a significant dose of star power to the already impactful song. The Grammy award-winning producer Rexxie skillfully crafted a star-studded ensemble, transforming Abracadabra into one of the standout hits of 2023.
Rema has released the official video for his single, Charm. It is the tenth track on his album Raves and Roses (Ultra). This song became a national anthem during the summer, exceeded national standards, and became an international hit. The music video is minimalist in nature and only features Rema and a female video vixen as he tries to serenade her.
The prolific hitmaker recently dropped the music video for his latest single Amapiano, featuring Olamide.
Shot by Jyde Ajala and unveiled on May 24, 2023, the music video encapsulates a lively party theme while maintaining Asake’s distinctive Avant Garde stylistic expression. The visual presentation adds an extra layer of vibrancy to the already energetic track.
According to Asake, the song is about minding his business and protecting his peace so no one can disrupt it. The song is primarily sung in the Yoruba language.
Yoga is produced by his partner in crime, Magic Sticks. It is Asake’s first single for 2023 and his first official output since he dropped his debut album. The song is complemented by a big-budget music video directed by the usual suspect, TG Omori.
Davido’s Unavailable video is a visual masterpiece, directed by the renowned Dammy Twitch. It features Davido’s signature style and charisma, as he delivers a scintillating performance accompanied by mesmerizing visuals that capture the essence of the song. The video showcases Davido’s exceptional dancing skills and showcases his ability to effortlessly captivate his audience with his electrifying presence.
Undoubtedly, Wizkid stands out as one of the wealthiest music artists on the African continent, and his recent displays of affluence further emphasize this fact. Just weeks ago, Wizkid proudly flaunted his newly acquired Rolls-Royce Cullinan, a purchase amounting to half a billion naira. The music video for ‘Money & Love’ reinforces this image of opulence, exuding class and wealth through the inclusion of various luxurious items throughout the visual narrative.
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