Afrobeat is a vibrant genre that fuses traditional African rhythms with jazz, funk, and highlife music. Originating in Nigeria in the 1960s, it was pioneered by Fela Kuti, who used it as a tool for political activism. Afrobeat features complex polyrhythms, prominent basslines, and extended instrumental sections, often accompanied by socially conscious lyrics. It is energetic and highly danceable, with strong percussion and brass elements. Afrobeat has continued to influence global music, leading to modern subgenres like Afrobeats, which blend African sounds with contemporary electronic production.