Afrobeat
noun
Af·ro·beat
ˈa-frō-ˌbēt 
: 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
Upbeat music plays ranging from Missy Elliot to Afrobeats while people disperse to concession stands, arcade games or to get a free photo taken.
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Charlotte Observer, 12 July 2025
Get your grub on and sway along to a nine-piece, Afrobeat funk band featuring a full horn section and African percussion.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025
On night two of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture Event Series at the Caesars Superdome, as some of the biggest names in soul, R&B, Afrobeat, reggae, and alternative music prepared to perform, the atmosphere behind the scenes was just as charged as the show unfolding under the spotlight.
—Bryanna Symone, Essence, 7 July 2025
From its rhythmic sounds — dancehall, kizomba, Afrobeats and reggae — to its Dutch colonial architecture and stunning ocean views, the island serves as a constant reminder of his formative years and the cultural influences that continue to inspire his music.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 7 July 2025
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Charlotte Observer, 12 July 2025
Get your grub on and sway along to a nine-piece, Afrobeat funk band featuring a full horn section and African percussion.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 7 July 2025
On night two of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture Event Series at the Caesars Superdome, as some of the biggest names in soul, R&B, Afrobeat, reggae, and alternative music prepared to perform, the atmosphere behind the scenes was just as charged as the show unfolding under the spotlight.
—Bryanna Symone, Essence, 7 July 2025
From its rhythmic sounds — dancehall, kizomba, Afrobeats and reggae — to its Dutch colonial architecture and stunning ocean views, the island serves as a constant reminder of his formative years and the cultural influences that continue to inspire his music.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for Afrobeat
Cite this Entry
“Afrobeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Afrobeat. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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