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The Sound of Classic Afrobeat

“The Sound of Classic Afrobeat” pulls together a rich cross-section of the genre’s golden era, where heavy horns, hypnotic rhythms, and funk-laced guitars rule. This playlist spans West Africa’s groundbreaking Afrobeat landscape, from Nigeria to Benin and Ghana, spotlighting influential groups like T. P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, The Funkees, and Ebo Taylor. There's a raw, analog energy across tracks like "It's A Vanity", "Love and Death", and “Noude Ma Gnin Tche De Me,” with each artist layering jazz, soul, highlife, and psychedelic elements over deep grooves.

The playlist digs deep, mixing the politically charged with the dancefloor-ready. Songs like “Active Action” by The Action 13 and “No Condition Is Permanent” by Marijata channel the movement’s more urgent, socially conscious side, while cuts like “Afro Funk” and “Sheebeen Queen” lean into gritty funk and fuzz-filled riffs. Whether it's the highlife melodies of Gyedu-Blay Ambolley or the trippy rock influences of Amanaz and BLO, the selection covers the genre's diverse paths without straying from its rhythmic core. It’s a solid introduction to classic Afrobeat—raw, rhythmic, and full of character.

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Playlist Artists Spotify Logo
Afro Funk 2 tracks
Amanaz 1 track
Antoine Dougbé 3 tracks
BLO 1 track
Black Santiago 1 track
Bola Johnson 1 track
City Boys Band 2 tracks
Cottam 1 track
Discafric Band 1 track
Dynamic Africana 1 track
Ebo Taylor 3 tracks
El Rego 3 tracks
Gabo Brown 1 track
George Akaeze and His Augmented Hits 1 track
Gyedu-Blay Ambolley 1 track
Hedzoleh Soundz 1 track
Henrik Schwarz 1 track
Honoré Avolonto 2 tracks
Horoya Band 2 tracks
Houghas Sorowonko 2 tracks
Jay-U Experience 2 tracks
Joni Haastrup 1 track
Kill Emil 1 track
Marijata 1 track
Monomono 3 tracks
Musi-O-Tunya 2 tracks
Ofo The Black Company 3 tracks
Opotopo 2 tracks
Orchestre Abass 3 tracks
Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou 1 track
Original Wings 1 track
Pat Thomas 1 track
Rex Williams 3 tracks
Rikki Ililonga 3 tracks
Sahara All Stars Band Jos. 1 track
St. Augustine and His Rovers Dance Band 1 track
Sweet Talks 3 tracks
T. P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo 3 tracks
The Action 13 1 track
The Anansa Professionals 1 track
The Barbecues 1 track
The Benders 1 track
The Don Isaac Ezekiel Combination 3 tracks
The Elcados 1 track
The Funkees 3 tracks
The Hygrades 3 tracks
The Otarus 1 track
The Sahara All Stars 1 track
Tunji Oyelana 3 tracks
Uppers International 1 track
Vincent Ahehehinnou 3 tracks
Voices Of Darkness 1 track