Afrobeat is a way of life-Dede Mabiaku

Dede Mabiaku, the versatile musician and a judge on the Nigerian idol reality show has described Afrobeat as a way of life and not just another genre of music. Citing the legendary Afrobeat king Fela Anikulapo-Kuti as an example, the late Fela protege urged the new generation afrobeat musicians to see afrobeat as music for the people.

He lauded the late Fela for his immense contribution to the way Nigerian music is perceived outside the country. "Fela played music live, he never used synthesised sounds, Fela scored his music and his lyrics came along. Fela groomed his band with the sounds he has called, so ethically he has cultured a sound and build it with a band. After that, he now performed these songs over a period of time before going to the studio."

He continued "That is why people still listen to his songs so many years after his physical exit. He is the most regarded Nigerian musician ever. He is the most regarded African celebrated in Broadway. That's because he was doing it the live way. These kids have to go back to basics, go and learn instruments, go and culture bands, culture yourself."


He also urged the contemporary musicians to leave the realm of synthesised sounds and work on live bands. According to him, learning the culture of live bands will take Nigerian music to the next level. Though he stated that these artistes have tried in their own way to promote Nigerian music through their packaging and vocal rendition but he insisted that a lot need to be done to make the Nigerian music better. He commended artistes like Flavour, Davido, Tuface for their input in the Nigerian music industry through the fusion of pure natural African sounds in their music.
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