I have always loved music and my favorites have always been within the Afro genres. I will not say that I am a traditional man with respect to that, it is only the case that I love the feelings that comes along with Afro sounds. I guess many are like me too.
The contemporary way of African music cannot really be traced to particular African cultures, they are simply African. Many things must have caused it but I think it is more traceable to the fact that the world is becoming more unified in her culture. That notwithstanding, here few reasons that might have contributed this fact:
MODERNISATION
Urbanisation and modernisation have changed so many things internationally and African is no exception. With the coming of new instruments, the African way of music have gradually replaced her original local instruments. This in one way or the other have resulted to loss of what use to be her original music. Yet the Africaness of the music that are being performed with these instruments may not be lost.
GLOBALISATION
Globalisation comes after the influence of modernisation must have taken place. Even after adopting foreign instruments, there is still need to identify with the international way of music. This as a matter of fact brings about a genre that is a combination of Afro and other genres that are not of African origin. Most of the music that have undergone globalisation might not be traced to any African culture. They are simply African.
INSTRUMENTATION
As the world become become globalised, it does not just bring about the use of modern instruments. Instrumentation pattern is also influenced in one way or another. In other words, the style of play of modern instrumentalists is certainly influenced by numerous genres which may not be traceable to African origin. With modern instrumentation coming to play, original African way of play are gradually being displaced. Instrumentation might not be considered completely differently form modernisation. It only exist with respect to the fact that modernisation is.
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
Recording softwares have become really rampant and the effect on African original music is given. Recording systems, electronic instruments and even the social media have in one way or the other affected African music. These technologies have greatly contributed to the advanced Afro music we have today. A genre that may not be traceable to any African culture.
CONCLUSION
It could be said that Afro music is advancing by the day but that might not be generally acceptable. That notwithstanding, I am simply of the opinion that African music just like every other thing is simply following the trends of time. But then, it is not really the case that African has lost her traditional music. Modernisation have only brought about a unified African music. Whether these unified African music have taken away some original cultural music or not is debatable but I will not concern myself with that debate.
