Afrobeats The Backstory

Directed by Nigerian filmmaker Ayo Shonaiya, the series premiered on Netflix on 29 June 2022, offering an in-depth look at the cultural, political, and social landscape that shaped the Afrobeats sound, as well as its growth.

The documentary examines how Nigerian pioneers like Fela Kuti laid the groundwork for the contemporary Afrobeats movement, combining traditional African rhythms with funk, jazz, and highlife.

Modern Afrobeats, popularized by artists such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido, has become a genre that fuses African rhythms with hip-hop, dancehall, and R&B.

[2] Episode 1: OG Before IG & The 3 Boy Bands - Afrobeats genre was first introduced in the 1990s with musicians from Nigeria, Ghana and the United Kingdom.

From Music Africa to Channel O, MTV Base, Trace TV and HipTV, and how they shaped the culture, featuring DJ Tee, Clarence Peters and TG Omori.

The first two episodes of "Afrobeats: The Backstory" was premiered on April 2, 2021, at the FilmHouse IMAX Cinema in Lekki Lagos in Nigeria, with a selection of the artistes and executives featured in the documentary in attendance.

[4] "Afrobeats: The Backstory" has been deemed a "Fastest-rising cultural phenomenon of the 2020s, therefore it made all sense for the streaming company to acquire Ayo Shonaiya’s work and push it with the resolve they’ve shown so far," (Animashaun, 2022).

It is a celebration of Afrobeats' journey from a local sound to a global movement, showcasing the artists, producers, and industry players who have contributed to its success.

[7] On the 25th of June 2024, Nile Entertainment Group announced their company launch[8] and newly acquired productions for distribution including the Season 2 of Afrobeats The Backstory.