Afroswing

Afroswing emerged in London’s multicultural scenes as second‑generation West African and Caribbean communities fused afrobeats and dancehall rhythms with the flows and beats of UK rap and grime. Early experiments by artists and producers began to crystallize a distinct sound: mid‑tempo, bouncy drums, melodic rap delivery, and ear‑catching hooks.

Tracks like Kojo Funds’ “Dun Talkin” (2016), Not3s’ “Addison Lee” (2016), and J Hus’ run of hits—culminating in “Did You See” (2017) and the album “Common Sense”—pushed the style into the UK mainstream. Producers such as JAE5 and Juls refined the blend of afrobeats/dancehall percussion with UK rap sensibilities, while media and fans popularized terms like “Afro‑bashment” and “Afroswing.” The sound’s warm grooves, melodic hooks, and relatable lyrics made it a staple of radio and streaming.

Collectives and groups (e.g., NSG) scored chart success with songs like “Options” (2019), while artists such as Yxng Bane, MoStack, and Young T & Bugsey helped standardize the genre’s songwriting playbook: minimal chord loops, swung percussion, and sing‑rap hooks. Afroswing’s pop‑ready polish fed back into UK rap and influenced melodic turns within UK drill and mainstream pop/club music. As UK‑Nigeria/Ghana creative links strengthened, the sound traveled globally, collaborating fluidly with afrobeats stars and cross‑pollinating with newer fusions.