Apala Explained

Apala
Cultural Origins:1930s, Yoruba people in Colonial Nigeria, British West Africa
Regional Scenes:Nigeria

Apala (or akpala) is a music genre originally developed by the Yoruba people of Nigeria,[1] during the country's history as a colony of the British Empire. It is a percussion-based style that originated in the late 1930s. The rhythms of apala grew more complex over time, and have influenced the likes of Cuban music, whilst gaining popularity in Nigeria. It has grown less religious centered over time.

Instruments include a rattle (sekere), thumb piano (agidigbo) and a bell (agogô), as well as two or three talking drums.[2]

Ayinla Omowura and Haruna Ishola - amongst others - were notable performers of apala music, these two icons played a major role in popularising the genre. It is distinct from, older than, and more difficult to master than fuji music.[3] Although fuji music remains one of the popular form of traditional music amongst Yorubas in Nigeria, apala is still very popular amongst Muslims of the Yoruba tribe.[4]

Styles

Apala fusion, apala pop, apala trap and street pop

Variant styles of apala include apala pop, apala trap, and apala-fusion, with musical artists such as Terry Apala, Olamide, DJ Tunez and Seyi Vibez being prominent figures associated with apala-centered musical styles. Street pop, also known as street hop, is a genre that emerged in Nigeria in the 21st century. It blends experimental rap with vocal performance, integrating elements of Nigerian hip hop, Nigerian street music, and contemporary African genres. Street pop incorporates aspects of Western music, and its sound is notably influenced by apala music.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Notes and References

  1. Book: 43 . Africa, Europe and the Middle East . Rough Guides . 1999 . 1-85828-635-2 .
  2. Babátúndé Yussuf . N. . Oladipo Olúbòmęhìn . O. . 2018-07-03 . Traditional Music and the Expression of Yoruba Socio-cultural Values: A Historical Analysis . Muziki . en . 15 . 2 . 61–74 . 10.1080/18125980.2018.1554980 . 218637202 . 1812-5980.
  3. Web site: 2022-03-20 . INTERVIEW: Why young Nigerian musicians are avoiding Fuji music - KWAM 1 Premium Times Nigeria . 2022-06-09 . en-GB . 2022-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220609182504/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/music/music-interviews/518411-interview-why-young-nigerian-musicians-are-avoiding-fuji-music-kwam-1.html . live .
  4. Web site: Music . FujiNaija . 2021-01-12 . Origin of Apala Music (Part 2: Conclusion) . 2022-06-09 . FujiNaija . en-US . 2022-05-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220518194753/https://fujinaija.com/origin-of-apala-music-part-2-conclusion/ . live .
  5. Web site: 2016-12-07 . Terry's modern mix of apala and hip hop . 2024-08-07 . Music In Africa . en . 2024-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807220633/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/terrys-modern-mix-apala-and-hip-hop-0 . live .
  6. Web site: Ajose . Kehinde . 2022-03-27 . I’m not under pressure to change my style of music — Terry Apala . 2024-08-07 . Punch Newspapers . en-US . 2024-06-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240615210312/https://punchng.com/im-not-under-pressure-to-change-my-style-of-music-terry-apala/ . live .
  7. Web site: 2023-02-07 . The changing face of Nigerian street-pop . 2024-08-08 . PAM - Pan African Music . en-US . 2023-12-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231203211221/https://pan-african-music.com/en/nigerian-street-pop/ . live .
  8. Web site: Ihejirika . Uzoma . 2023-02-07 . For Its Next Lap, Nigeria's Street Pop Is Pushing Into Experimental Fields . 2024-08-08 . The NATIVE . en-US . 2023-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609222509/https://thenativemag.com/street-pop-next-experimental/ . live .
  9. Web site: Okwuego . Oluchi . 2023-12-21 . Spotify hails Olamide as top street pop influencer . 2024-08-08 . Voice of Nigeria . en-US . 2024-01-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240101220326/https://von.gov.ng/spotify-hails-olamide-as-top-street-pop-influencer/ . live .
  10. Web site: Adebiyi . Adeayo . 2024-05-17 . Is Afrobeats ready for a Fuji or Apala album? . 2024-08-12 . Pulse Nigeria . en.
  11. Web site: Ige . Tofarati . 2024-06-07 . I’m determined to preserve apala music — Terry Apala . 2024-08-07 . Punch Newspapers . en-US . 2024-07-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240731104345/https://punchng.com/im-determined-to-preserve-apala-music-terry-apala/ . live .

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