From Lagos to Paris, Afrobeats Is Catching a New Vibe

Afrobeats is getting a fresh global twist—and this time, Paris is in the mix.
In Lagos, nine French composers recently linked up with Nigerian Afrobeats artists for an exciting creative camp aimed at producing the genre’s next international hits. The result? A burst of cross-cultural energy, late-night studio sessions, and more than 60 new tracks created in just a few days.
The collaboration took place at the headquarters of Mavin Records, one of Africa’s most influential music powerhouses. Known for shaping global Afrobeats stars like Rema and Ayra Starr, the label opened its doors to a creative experiment that blended French pop, rap, urban sounds, and Nigeria’s unmistakable Afrobeats rhythm.
Inside the studios, languages flowed as freely as melodies—French, English, Nigerian Pidgin, and Creole all merging into beats designed for dance floors and playlists worldwide. The camp was organised by Sacem, in partnership with the French Embassy and Mavin Records, as part of a wider effort to encourage global music collaborations.
For the organisers, the ambition was clear: create songs with hit potential. Sacem’s Akotchaye Okio summed it up simply—if even one track reaches the global heights of Afrobeats anthems like Rush or Calm Down, the mission is accomplished.
Afrobeats’ rise has been nothing short of unstoppable. Rooted in the innovations of Fela Kuti in the 1970s, the sound has evolved into a global phenomenon, powered by Nigeria’s creative scene and amplified by the diaspora.
For many of the French producers, the Lagos experience was eye-opening. Some were visiting Africa for the first time and quickly noticed how deeply music is woven into everyday life. French beatmaker PSK, who collaborated with Nigerian producer Dunnie Alexandra Lawal, described the sessions as freer and more emotionally driven than what he was used to back home.
Artists didn’t just make beats—they felt them. Singer-songwriter Elestee from Mavin Records helped polish several tracks and described the sound as both uplifting and reflective, the kind of music that works just as well for an early-morning drive as it does for a night out.
According to Lawal, the collaboration reflects where Afrobeats is heading. The genre may have been born in West Africa, but its future is global—and increasingly collaborative.
That global pull is already visible. France, in particular, has embraced Afrobeats, with Afro-influenced songs regularly dominating charts. Recent collaborations between French and Nigerian artists continue to prove that the sound travels effortlessly across borders.
For Martinique-born singer-songwriter Shannon, one of the camp’s highlights was blending Afrobeats with Shatta—a Caribbean fusion of dancehall, trap, and electronic sounds. The mix, she said, felt natural and exciting, opening doors to entirely new creative possibilities.
As cultures collide and sounds evolve, one thing is clear: Afrobeats isn’t slowing down. With Lagos and Paris now sharing studio space, the next global hit might just be a beat born from both worlds.