Afro Beat and Afro Talk music

Afro Talk is on of the most interesting forms of African music in the world today. Though it is a relatively new art form, its history can be traced back thousands of years.

Since reading and writing came late to Africa, their stories were told orally often by a Griot. A Griot was the town or tribe’s oral history keeper. He was often considered a wise and learned man who also had sublime musical talents. He would use his instrument of choice, often a drum, to tell the stories of his people.

Though the Griot often concerned himself with the more important issues like history and politics, he also told tales of gossip, rumor and innuendo. That was his way of staying relevant and of bridging the gap to the next generation. He also made certain to train an apprentice who would carry on his work when he was gone.

Afro talk began with the Griot who has passed his work along to a new generation who shares his love for oral tradition. Like the Griots of old, musicians who work with Afro talk and Afro beat must have a firm grasp of history as well as a keen understanding of the current generation. They are expected to be well-round individuals with exceptional musical abilities. Although they need not actually play an instrument of their own, they must understand what the music is saying in order to get their point across to their audience.

As we mentioned, Afro Talk is based on African oral traditions of the early Griot who utilized spoken word when composing their songs. The new style is also called Afro beat because it relies on new forms of communication. Like any innovative musical style it keeps something traditional and crosses it with something innovative and new.

Afro Talk is also known for its narrative style. Oftentimes the songs relate the experiences of a young narrator as he makes his way in the world. They tell the stories of his life in spoken word over a compelling beat. Because they are stories, they are seldom extemporaneous. Songs are often written out and then performed for the audiences exactly as they were written.

In spite of the alterations, Afro Talk has remained true to its roots. It still tells the story of African people and relies on a narrator and some form of African music. Afro beat also relies on traditional African dance to tell its tales and in this way it is the same as the work of the Griots hundreds of years ago.

Inspiration

It is important to note that Afro talk is not the only musical art form that was inspired by the work of the Griots and by African musical oral and dance tradition. Perhaps the most popular musical style that can trace its roots back to African music is rap music. Though it relies more on sampled or electronically produced beats than it does on musical instruments, rap is based on oral story-telling. African music has also inspired beat, slam and spoken word poetry.