Afrobeats Nation: History, Creativity, and Transatlantic Performance (FYS)
MUSC 123F
Fall 2026
| Section:
01
|
Afrobeats has become a global phenomenon in recent years. With Burna Boy and Tems' Grammy win, and performance at the Coachella festival alongside Rema, Fireboy, and Wizkid, Afrobeats appeals to a borderless "Afronation" in the post-Fela era. Given the entries on global music charts (Billboard Hot 100), streaming numbers, and performances at the Grammy Awards, Paris La Défense Arena, Afro Nation, Glastonbury Festival, Wireless Festival, Madison Square Garden, and Citi Field, Afrobeats artists are shaping the global music scene. This course examines the creativity, social history, and transnationality of West African popular music from 1960 to date. We will cover issues of hip hop appropriation and resistance, gender politics, visual culture, Fela Kuti's Afrobeat and Black consciousness, and the global appreciation of contemporary Afrobeats music. |
|
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA MUSC |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
|
Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
|
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Fela: The Life and Times of an African Musical Icon: Michael Veal (2000)
Fela: Kalakuta Notes: John Collins (2015)
Additional readings from Paul Ugor and Stephanie Shonekan.
|
Examinations and Assignments:
Students will write a 500-word comparative summary/reflection on two articles weekly. With three music tracks, students will write on an artist of interest for the midterm. For the final paper, students will consult existing studies and develop their own paper on Afrobeats aesthetics and social critique. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
|
Instructor(s): STAFF
Times: .M.W... 10:50AM-12:10PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: X | JR major: X | | |
| Seats Available: 15 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: 15 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
|
|