Afrobeats

What Is Afrobeats?

Afrobeats is a contemporary West African pop music and dance movement that emerged from Nigeria and Ghana in the 2000s, distinct from the older Afrobeat genre of Fela Kuti.

The dance style draws from multiple African traditions — Azonto from Ghana, Shaku Shaku and Alanta from Nigeria — blending them with influences from hip hop, dancehall and R&B into a fluid, joyful movement vocabulary.

At its core, Afrobeats dance is about grounded footwork, rhythmic chest and shoulder isolations, and a relaxed yet precise connection to the beat — made globally famous by artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido and Tems.

Afrobeats in London

London is the undisputed European capital of Afrobeats culture, with a huge West African diaspora community across Peckham, Woolwich, Stratford and Dalston driving demand for authentic classes.

The style has crossed into the mainstream, with Afrobeats nights and classes now found across Central London too — one of the fastest-growing dance categories in the city over the past five years.

Afrobeats Classes in London

Afrobeats classes in London typically teach foundational footwork patterns, popular social moves and short choreographies set to current Afrobeats tracks, making them highly accessible for beginners.

More advanced sessions explore the full cultural vocabulary of moves across different sub-genres — Amapiano-influenced styles, Afroswing fusion and competitive Azonto technique.