African Music’s Global Rise ‘long Overdue Says Rick Ross
African music’s global rise ‘long overdue’, says Rick Ross
African music is rapidly reshaping the global soundscape, with genres such as Afrobeats gaining widespread popularity and influencing mainstream music around the world. But American rapper Rick Ross says the moment has been a long time coming and believes Africa’s global cultural impact should have arrived much earlier. Afrobeats and other African genres have surged in international recognition in recent years, driven by streaming platforms, global collaborations and the growing influence of African artists. The sound, characterised by rhythmic percussion, melodic hooks and cross-genre fusion, has increasingly featured on global charts and in collaborations with major Western artists. Ross described the rise as inevitable, noting that those familiar with the genre have long understood its global potential.
Speaking in an interview with CNN, Ross pointed to the legacy of Fela Kuti as a foundational force behind the genre’s global appeal.
He compared Kuti’s influence on modern African music to that of James Brown on hip-hop, highlighting how earlier sounds helped shape today’s global hits. According to Ross, the musical innovation behind Afrobeats has existed for decades, but is only now receiving widespread international recognition
Ross has himself been part of the genre’s global expansion, collaborating with African artists including P-Square and Yemi Alade. He said these collaborations began organically, long before Afrobeats became a global trend, and reflected a shared musical vision across continents. The rapper added that partnerships between African and international artists are continuing to expand, with new projects already in development.
Ross also praised the current generation of African stars, singling out Burna Boy as a leading figure in the global movement.
He suggested that African music is not just experiencing a moment, but is part of a broader cultural shift that will continue to grow. Beyond music, Ross indicated interest in deeper engagement with the continent, including potential investments and creative projects. Despite the recent global success of Afrobeats, Ross believes the genre is still in its early stages on the world stage. He described the current wave as “only the beginning”, adding that the world is finally catching up to a sound that has always had global appeal. As African artists continue to break into international markets, industry observers say the influence of the continent’s music is set to expand even further in the years ahead.
