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The UK's Newest Sound

Some call it Afro-Bashment, some call it Afro-Swing, some call it UK Afrobeats. With millions of hits but no name, will 2017 be seen as a tipping point for the UK's newest sound?

Some call it Afro-Bashment, some call it Afro-Swing, some call it UK Afrobeats.

It doesn't have a single name yet, but with millions of views online, regular radio rotation and a Top 20 hit this summer alone, there's a new UK sound that's gone from underground to mainstream in astonishing time.

In a move away from the 140bpm tempo and intensity of grime, a new crop of artists including Tion Wayne, Eugy, Afro B and Abracadabra combine influences from UK artists like Sneakbo and Donae'o, West African melodies and dancehall riddims.

With J Hus being nominated for a Mercury Award and major label backing for Kojo Funds, Yxng Bane and Lotto Boyzz, will we look back on 2017 as a tipping point for this sound, or is it just a wave approaching its peak?

We bring together P Montana, Team Salut and GA, some of the scene's pioneering taste-makers to tell the story and look at the future of a sound that's at once distinctly UK, but with worldwide appeal.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 29 Oct 201721:00
BBC Radio 1Xtra

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Music Played

  • J Hus

    Friendly

    • Black Butter.

  • J Hus

    Common Sense

    • Common Sense.
    • Black Butter.

  • Kojo Funds

    Warning

    • F&Y LTD.

  • Yxng Bane

    Rihanna

    • Disturbing London.

  • D’banj

    Fall In Love

  • Wale, Afro B, Sneakbo & Team Salut

    Stay Winning

  • E.M.E

    Dance For Me (feat. Wizkid)

    • E.M.E Records.

  • Yfs

    ALÉ

  • Kojo Funds

    Robbery

  • Eugy & Mr Eazi

    Dance For Me

    • D Sycamore Group.

  • Lotto Boyzz

    No Don

    • Lotto Boyzz Records.

  • Kojo Funds

    Fear No One

  • Mover

    Ringtone (feat. Timbo)

  • Mitch x Timbo

    LDN City

  • D’banj

    Oliver Twist

    • Mercury.

  • Fuse ODG

    Azonto (feat. Itz Tiffany)

  • Drake

    Controlla (feat. Popcaan)

    • Views.
    • Island.

  • Not3s

    Addison Lee (Peng Ting Called Maddison)

  • Stefflon Don

    Hurtin' Me (feat. French Montana)

    • Polydor.

  • Maleek Berry

    Kontrol

    • Berry's Room.

  • P. Montana, Eugy, Kwamz & Flavour

    Innocent

  • Kojo Funds

    Dun Talkin (feat. Abra Cadabra)

  • Stonebwoy

    Falling Again (feat. Kojo Funds)

    • Samini Music.

  • Ed Sheeran

    Shape of You (Yxng Bane Remix)

    Remix Artist: Yxng Bane.

  • Timaya

    Bum Bum (Remix) (feat. Sean Paul)

  • Hardy Caprio

    Unsigned (feat. One Acen)

    • Hardy Caprio.

  • K Adu

    Slow Wine

  • Yxng Bane

    Rihanna

    • Disturbing London.

  • J Hus

    Did You See

    • Blackbutter.

  • Yungen

    Bestie (feat. Yxng Bane)

    • RCA Records Label.

  • Stefflon Don

    Envy Us (feat. Abra Cadabra)

    • 54 London.

  • Team Salut

    Hot Property (feat. Tion Wayne, Afro B & Eugy)

Broadcast

  • Sun 29 Oct 201721:00
    BBC Radio 1Xtra