BPM by genre

Afrobeats

Curated by se7en beatlab · updated July 2026

105 BPM typical

Range: 100–118 BPM

Afrobeats (the modern West African pop sound, not Fela's 'Afrobeat') usually runs 100–118 BPM, with the mid-100s as the pocket. The groove is built on a log-drum-adjacent percussion bounce and a relaxed, syncopated feel.

Subgenres

Subgenre	Typical	Range
Afrobeats (mainstream)	107	100–115
Afro-fusion / Afropop	108	102–118
Alté	102	95–110

Production notes

Layer live-feel percussion (shakers, congas, rim clicks) over a simple kick pattern with a laid-back swing. Bass is melodic and bouncy. Keep arrangements airy with call-and-response vocals. The groove should feel relaxed, never rushed — pocket over power. Around 105–110 BPM is the safe zone.

Typical structure

Intro → pre-chorus → chorus (catchy, repetitive) → verse → chorus → bridge → chorus. Hook-forward and vibe-driven.

FAQ

How many BPM is Afrobeats?

Afrobeats typically runs 100–118 BPM, with the mid-100s (around 105–110) being most common.

Is Afrobeats the same as Amapiano?

No. Amapiano is a distinct South African style, usually slower at 108–115 BPM with log-drum basslines.

Related genres

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