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Amaarae names Don Jazzy, Fela as her choices for Mount Rushmore of Afrobeats
During an interview, Ghanaian artist Amaarae revealed her Afrobeat Mount Rushmore selections, offering insight into the varied influences driving the genre’s evolution. Renowned for her boundary-pushing sound and fearless creativity, Amaarae’s choices reflect her deep appreciation for key figures in Afrobeat’s rich tapestry.
Among her top picks, Amaarae highlighted Don Jazzy, P-square, Osibisa, and Fela Kuti. Each selection carries its own significance in shaping the landscape of Afrobeat. Don Jazzy’s enduring impact on the genre resonates strongly with Amaarae, as she emphasized his pivotal role in guiding Afrobeat’s trajectory.
She said, “I don’t want to get in any trouble so let me think properly. You know the first person I would put is Don Jazzy even though he is a producer now. I think that when you think about the Afrobeat empire from production to artist development and discovery and you think about artists like D’banj, Tiwa Savage all the way down to the new Mavins I have to put Don Jazzy first on Afrobeat Mount Rushmore. Number two would be Osibisa.
Osibisa are the first kind of Afropop artists to take very pop melodies and mix into with African drums and they were just very trippy. Number three is obviously Fela Kuti. The king of kings. Psquare is fourth. That is my Mount Rushmore personally. Don Jazzy is the impact of afrobeats”.
Amaarae names Don Jazzy, Osibisa, P-Square and Fela as her choice for Mount Rushmore of Afrobeats. 😍🎶 pic.twitter.com/zgVaU8sllX
— African Folder (@africanfolder) April 9, 2024
Amaarae delved further into Don Jazzy’s influence, highlighting his role in nurturing talents such as D’banj and Tiwa Savage, as well as guiding the new generation of Mavins artists. She emphasized Don Jazzy’s enduring impact, which reverberates across generations and continues to shape the landscape of Afrobeat.
Additionally, Amaarae proclaimed Fela Kuti as the “King of Kings” in music, acknowledging his unparalleled legacy and influence in shaping not only Afrobeat but also the broader musical landscape. Fela Kuti’s contributions remain foundational, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.