Exploring the Sounds of Afrobeats
This month, MTMS students explored Afrobeats in the Music Technology and Learning Lab.
Students noticed many similarities between the songs they heard. Several students mentioned drums, percussion, and steady beats. Others heard piano, electronic sounds, and changing vocal dynamics.
Many students described the music as calm, chill, and easy to listen to.
Wynn enjoyed the chorus in “Fall” by Davido. Sebastian noticed that the songs stayed in a comfortable vocal range. Nevaan thought the music sounded electronic, while Haley noticed similar percussion patterns across multiple songs.
Some students focused on the vocals. Freya noticed autotune in some songs. Shubham pointed out that one selection had no singing at all. Jaylin noticed that some songs used very few lyrics and relied more on the music itself.
Different Languages and Messages
Students quickly noticed that Afrobeats artists use more than one language.
Beatrice heard mostly English along with another language. Freya noticed simplified English mixed with other languages. Nevaan also pointed out the use of different languages.
Many students heard messages about faith, gratitude, and inspiration.
Freya, Elliana, and Shubham all noticed songs that mentioned God or Christianity. Sebastian remembered a song called “Toast” that focused on being thankful. Henry learned that Afrobeats is meant to inspire people.
Beatrice felt that the songs always carried a message and often sounded spiritual.
Learning About Afrobeats History
Students also explored where Afrobeats comes from and how it developed.
Several students learned that Afrobeats originated in Africa. Felix learned that the genre has existed for a long time but has only recently become popular in America. Penelope described the style as both popular and cool.
Sebastian learned that modern Afrobeats grew from a newer generation of artists and that the genre began in Nigeria.
Maddox learned about the different pop influences found within Afrobeats. Henry learned that the genre helps share African music and culture with listeners around the world.
Student Observations and Discoveries
Students noticed many interesting details during their exploration.
Elliana heard trumpet and guitar in some videos. Grayson remembered seeing concerts and dancing. Mila noticed similarities between some rhythms and beatboxing. Jaylin paid attention to the visuals that accompanied the songs.
One student already knew an Afrobeats artist. Maddox shared that he listens to Koffee outside of class.
Students also found some unexpected moments. Beatrice remembered a funny rhyme involving bananas and broccoli. Those small details helped make the listening activities memorable.
Bringing the World into the Lab
Music helps us learn about different cultures, languages, and experiences.
This month, students discovered new sounds while exploring a genre that continues to grow around the world. Through listening activities and history lessons, they learned how Afrobeats connects rhythm, storytelling, faith, and culture.
Most importantly, they listened with curious ears and shared thoughtful observations along the way.