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 vs Afro Fusion / Afro Dance

Afrobeats and Afro Dance are closely related and often used interchangeably, but Afrobeats specifically refers to the contemporary West African pop movement, while Afro Dance is the broader umbrella it sits within.

Benefits of Afrobeats

Who Is Afrobeats Suitable For?

Learning 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 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.

Afrobeats FAQ

• Can adults start Afrobeats with no experience? +
  Yes. Afrobeats classes teach foundational footwork and popular social moves from scratch — no prior dance experience or familiarity with the music is needed to join a beginner class.
• Is Afrobeats difficult to learn? +
  The core steps are approachable from day one — most classes build a full routine from short, repeated sections. What takes longer is layering in the chest and shoulder isolations, which develop naturally with regular practice.
• What is the difference between Afrobeats and Afro Dance? +
  Afrobeats refers specifically to the contemporary West African pop movement tied to artists like Burna Boy and Wizkid; Afro Dance is the broader umbrella term covering many African movement traditions, including Afrobeats. See our full Afro Dance guide for the comparison.
• What age can children start Afrobeats classes? +
  Most London studios offer Afrobeats from around age 7–8 in youth dance programmes, often alongside other street and commercial styles.
• Do I need to know the songs or artists first? +
  No. Teachers introduce the music as part of class — you do not need to already know Burna Boy, Wizkid or Davido's catalogue to follow the choreography.
• Is Afrobeats good exercise? +
  Yes. Classes keep moving from start to finish, combining footwork and full-body choreography into a genuine cardiovascular workout that also builds coordination and rhythm.
• What should I wear to an Afrobeats class? +
  Comfortable, flexible clothing that allows free movement through the hips and shoulders — joggers or leggings with a t-shirt — plus trainers with good grip for the grounded footwork.
• How much do Afrobeats classes cost in London? +
  Drop-in classes typically cost £8–£18, in line with most street and commercial dance styles across the city.