How the sound we love is shaping the lives we live. Afrobeats has grown from being just a genre of music to becoming a lifestyle, a cultural export, and for many young people, a major shaper of identity. From Lagos to London to Los Angeles, Afrobeats has seen exponential growth, going from a regional West African genre to a global phenomenon largely driven by digital platforms, international collaborations, and diaspora influence.
According to the TheCable lifestyle, between 2017 and 2022, Afrobeats streams on Spotify surged by 550% with over 13 billion streams in 2022 alone and we saw artistes like Asake, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Rema and Ckay songs crossed oceans, breaking language and cultural barriers. In March 2023, Billboard launched the first official U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart, reflecting the genre’s growing influence and also The Grammy Awards introduced a dedicated Best African Music Performance category in 2023.
But with great influence comes great responsibility, so this same rhythm that uplifts can also mislead and as someone who sees the effects daily. I feel compelled to speak on how Afrobeats carries both positive and negative influences and we see the impact every day in our streets, in our conversations and across social media. The sound, lyrics and visuals inspired our fashion, slang, behavior and even personal values.
I remember vividly secondary school days when Wizkid, Tekno, Olamide, and the likes of young artistes then did the “carrot trouser” almost every male student was doing that to most of our trousers, including uniform trousers. Slang like “E choke”, “KPK”, “Mafo”, “Men Mount” all trend globally, showing how far the afro beat influence is.
The Positive Side of Afrobeats Influence
It would be so unfair to only focus on the negativity as Afrobeat and the culture has produced powerful, uplifting and culturally rich music that inspires pride and unity.
Starting with the social media and dance trends as Afrobeat inspired dance styles like “shaku shaku” and “zanku” which have gone viral on platforms like TikTok and Instagram with millions of youth participating in this dance challenges. Social media platforms have amplified Afrobeats reach with 28% global listener growth reported in 2024, driven largely by youth engagement on TikTok and Instagram.
The “African Queen” by 2Baba remains one of the most celebrated love songs to ever come out of Africa, portraying African women as beautiful, dignified and cherished. “Essence” by Wizkid and Tems has become a global anthem for youth romance, connection and self-worth.
Even many songs by Barry Jhay, Seyi Vibez and others often referred to as “Afro Adura” carry strong messages of prayer, hope and perseverance especially for young people battling hardship. These songs do more than entertain but they provide a cultural mirror that reflects the resilience, creativity and spiritual strength embedded in African communities.
“This Is Nigeria” by Falz is a striking example of activism through art. Modeled after “This Is America,” the song and its provocative video spotlight issues like police brutality, codeine abuse, and systemic corruption, and push Afrobeats beyond entertainment into civic dialogue. Also, big artists like Wizkid and Burna Boy have used their platforms during movements like #EndSARS.
The Shadows of Afrobeat, Where the Beat Gets Risky
A post on X expressed concern that Afrobeats is becoming “nihilistic & substanceless,” suggesting it may fail to convey the depth of African cultural narratives to younger generations. Many lyrics focusing on “money, cars and women” can overshadow messages of cultural pride or social activism, shaping youth aspirations toward consumerism rather than community or heritage.
Afrobeats global influence has been largely positive, reshaping perceptions of Africa and fostering cultural exchange. However, its rapid mainstreaming has sparked concerns about cultural appropriation, commodification, and misrepresentation in global contexts. Noticed how certain songs have stirred public debate because of how they appear to normalize harmful acts.
For example, “Soapy” by Naira Marley became widely popular for its catchy beat and street appeal, yet some listeners interpreted it as endorsing masturbation, turning a private vice into a public dance trend. Similarly, a very popular Qdot’s lyric “Walai Talai Mo Fe Sha Se” which translates to “I swear I want to start yahoo scamming” sparked discussions around how music can indirectly present internet fraud “yahoo” as a legitimate hustle in the eyes of some impressionable listeners.
A 2025 article highlights that the portrayal of opulent lifestyles by Afrobeats artists has contributed to a “quick-money mindset” among Nigerian youth, with one notable effect being a surge in internet fraud, particularly among young males. Music videos and live performances also contribute to these perceptions. It is now almost standard to see popular artistes blowing thick smoke from weed directly into the camera or flaunting drug use as part of their “enjoyment.” This visual culture feeds into a dangerous glamorization of substances.
Just days ago on X (formerly Twitter), I came across a thread comparing people’s demeanor before smoking and after smoking marijuana. The effects were obvious with glazed eyes, weight loss, etc. And even different experiences from the victim, while some comments brushed it off as “it is drugs, not weed”, “stop taking colos”, “you sure say na just weed you dey do”, or some recommending “loud” over “colos”. The truth is that all can lead to addiction and mental health struggles, and you don’t even need to see a social media thread like that to recognize the effects, as the signs are on our streets daily.
So as some Afrobeats songs and artists glamorize substance use, particularly weed, alcohol and drugs through lyrics and music videos. This can normalize risky behaviors among impressionable youth, especially in social settings like parties or clubs where Afrobeats dominates.
Tracks like Burna Boy’s “Last Last” reference heartbreak and coping through alcohol, which while emotionally resonant, may subtly normalize substance use as a response to stress among young listeners.
Afrobeats Meets Identity
Afrobeats is a cultural superpower shaping how African youths dress, speak, behave and dream for better and for worse. The challenge is balancing the celebration of the culture with honest conversations about its risks. As a young Nigerian and other young people in Africa, music is more than background noise for us but it is a guidebook. The beats give us swagger and dance moves, the lyrics give us slangs and slogans and the videos give us visuals to imitate. In many ways, our playlists shape our personalities.
However, the same platform that celebrates creativity can also normalize vices. When risky behavior is wrapped in catchy beats and stylish visuals, it can blur the line between “art” and “endorsement” for the impressionable listeners. Why is this conversation important? I’m speaking on this not to demonize Afrobeats but because as youths, we can’t ignore the obvious. Whether it is drug culture, cybercrime glorification or sexualization, the influence is there and it is strong. But so is the positive potential of this music that uplift, inspire and promote culture.
We need to ask ourselves, are we letting the music control us or are we controlling how we engage with it? So let’s educate ourselves and the next generation to enjoy art without adopting every lyrics as life instruction. Music is one of the most powerful art forms in the world. Artistes sometimes exaggerate or tell stories from the perspective of a character. Think about this, a Nollywood actor who plays a criminal is not one in real life and a standup comedian might joke about things they would never actually do. In the same way, an artiste might sing about drugs, crime or reckless love, not as an instruction but as artistic performance.
Art imitates life, but it doesn’t dictate life
This is why critical listening matters. We can enjoy the rhythm but we must ask that is this something to dance to or something to live by? Let music entertain and inspire you but don’t let it dictate your values. Finally to the artistes, with every beat, lyric and video, you shape how millions of young people see the world. Whether you intend it or not, your songs don’t just entertain, they influence lives.
The Afrobeat that was pioneered by Fela Kuti is rooted in political activism and blends jazz, funk and Yoruba rhythms. I really appreciate and love modern Afrobeats evolution as it is now more pop oriented, incorporating hip hop and dancehall and is the primary driver of the global statistics cited in this article but artistes must remember that their lyrics can either build a generation or break it.
Dear readers what do you think? Do you think Afrobeats is helping or hurting youth identity more? In the comment share your stories, playlists or songs that changed you.
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