Meet the musicians who say Afrobeats is coming for Ottawa

For CBC Ottawa's Creator Network project, 22-year-old musician and promoter Abdul Muse, a.k.a. KAR33M sat down with fellowAfrobeats artiststo talk about how they see the music of Nigeriaand why they want localaudiences to support this sound, all over a helping of jollof rice.

Check out other Creator Network Ottawa storieshere.

Ottawa may have a growing reputation for its hip-hop artists, but Abdul Muse, who goes by the stage name KAR33M, says it's time this city's Afrobeats community is recognized.

Muse, who also runs a label to promote Afro-diverse artists, says the sound is becoming more populararound the world and here in OttawatheAfrobeats and Afro-influenced music community is thriving even if that doesn't always translate to support from audiences.

"I feel like it needs a little bit more love. There are a lot of Afrobeatartists that are present, butthey also double abit because Ottawa vibes a bit more hip-hop," said Muse.

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"In Ottawa it just needs a bit more love in terms of thefestivals ... and the people that come out to shows."

Dishing about Afrobeats

Muse sat down recently with a group of Afrobeatsand Afrobeats-relatedmusicians, to talk about the genre and what it could be, all over a plate of Nigeria's national dish, jollof rice.

This creator network piece was directed by Muse'smanagerZainab, filmed by Quest (DavidLeclerc), edited by musician T.Chandy(ChandiraPerera), who was also on-screen alongside musician Chyme (EbubechukwuMichael Chime) andBanggz (Damilola Salaudeen).

For these artists, despite living far from Nigeria, their focus is telling that country's sometimes difficult stories even if their tracks often sound upbeat.

"[This music is]groovy, it's fun. But then youlisten and you're like, 'Oh, wait. This is what he said?This is true?OK, let me research this," explained Muse.

"Afrobeatis always talking about the African people. It's always talking about the reality that [African people] are currently facing."

Nigeria's music around the world

Muse, whocame to Canada from Nigeria when he was 13, saidtheAfrobeatssound wasn't his first love. But after dabbling in R&B and Afrosoul,he found his voice with the music of his home country.

Afrobeat traces its roots to Nigerian artist and activist Fela Kuti who popularized the blend of blues, jazz, funk and traditional Yoruba sounds in the 1970s.

His music lives on in his children,many of whom are also musicians, and has been gaining in popularity as the diaspora spread, with such big names as WizKid and Burna Boy said to be the first Afrobeats artist to sell out Madison Square Garden.

Muse explains that while the term Afrobeatis often used to describeKuti'smusic, it's more precise to use the term Afrobeats(with an s)to describe more recent music inspired by that sound.

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Muse's frequent collaboratorDamilola Salaudeen, akaBanggz, echoes his frustration.

"Myself and a lot of my friends inthe Nigerian community, we make Afrobeatsand, if we do say soourselves it'spretty good," said the songwriter and producer.

"So it's just interesting to have to run around andchase people and reach out,instead of people just trying to do the work to appreciate what's already there."

Salaudeen grew up in Nigeria andcame to Ottawa in 2016 to study at Carleton. He saidthe lack of support is especially surprising given the growing number ofNigerians who live in this city.

"We do have a community that we're trying to build and that keeps increasing. It just puzzles me.It makes me ask, at what point is that going to change?"

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Open your ears

For Muse, it's time people in Ottawa started listening to something new.

"I want to walk around the city and hear Afrobeat," he said.

"Because usually you walk around andit's I love Ed Sheeran, but it's typically Ed Sheeran orTaylor Swift. Let's open up, let's listen to some new things. Let's adapt. Because Africa is taking over the world."

Muse's message to this city?

"Afrobeat exists and we're coming full force."

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.