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Music Briefs: Afrobeat

USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA SO WE CAN PROMOTE YOUR CONTENT: AFROBEATP5BRIEF

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Nigeria was the birthplace of the Afrobeat musical style. Fela Kuti, a political activist and musician from Nigeria, created it by combining elements of highlife, jazz, funk, and West African percussion with traditional Nigerian music. As the genre gains popularity and shows signs of trending, we’re looking for fresh Afrobeat content this month.

 

Afrobeat History

Fela Kuti

The Nigerian singer, composer, and political activist Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti was born in 1938. More commonly known as Fela Kuti, he is regarded as a founding member of the Afrobeat genre and one of its most influential figures.

We characterize Fela Kuti’s music by its fusion of traditional African rhythms, highlife, jazz, funk, and Western influences. He combined these elements to create the distinctive sound of Afrobeat.

In addition to his musical accomplishments, Fela Kuti was a well-known activist and outspoken opponent of the Nigerian government. He spoke out against oppression, corruption, and social injustice in Nigeria and Africa using his music and public platform.

 

Afrobeat Artists

Several well-known Afrobeat bands and performers, such as Fela Kuti & Africa ’70, Egypt 80 (another band formed by Fela), Antibalas based in the US, Kokoroko from London, or Afrobeat-inspired band The Souljazz Orchestra have had a significant influence on the genre.

Today, Afrobeat is a strong and prominent genre, representing African identity, social awareness, and musical inventiveness. It continues to inspire musicians and strike a chord with audiences worldwide because it blends many musical forms and is committed to tackling socio-political issues.

 

Genre Characteristics

Infectious rhythms, large horn sections, intricate polyrhythms, and socially conscious lyrics distinguish the sound of Afrobeat music. Call-and-response singing, Yoruba chants, and African percussion instruments like the talking drum are all included, along with more contemporary sounds like guitars, synthesizers, and brass instruments.

  • Complex Rhythms: Afrobeat is renowned for its deep, complex rhythms. It creates polyrhythmic patterns that are infectious and energizing by fusing traditional African percussion instruments with contemporary drum sets.

  • Horn Sections: Horn sections, frequently made up of trumpets, saxophones, and trombones, are a key part of Afrobeat. These horns play melodic lines, adding to the Afrobeat genre’s dynamic and colorful sound.

  • Social and Political Lyrics: Afrobeat lyrics frequently touch on social and political topics. Musicians use their platforms to spread the word about injustice, repression, and corruption.

  • Fusion of Genres: Traditional African music, jazz, funk, and Western influences are all included in the ingredients of Afrobeat. This fusion combines African rhythms with Western melodies and instrumentation to produce a distinctive and varied sound.

 

It’s vital to remember that because the genre has developed and expanded over time, these traits are not absolute nor exclusive to all Afrobeat songs. Afrobeat may be interpreted and reinterpreted by various musicians and bands, so please don’t limit yourself to these characteristics only, and feel free to experiment with all the elements of Afrobeat.

 

Pond5 Examples of Afrobeat

Listen to the tracks dedicated to the genre and get inspired for your next production.

 

 

Submission ideas

  • Submit tracks in length between 2 and 6 minutes.
  • The tempo should be between 90-150 BPM.
  • Experiment with a fusion of different genres.
  • Don’t forget to distinguish the track from Caribbean music, dancehall, etc.
  • Lyrics are optional.

 

Summary

  • Take advantage of the 50-keyword limit and add both broad and specific keywords. Please do not use a recognizable band or artist name!
  • We also encourage you to submit separate :15 and :30 versions of these tracks for social media use.
  • Don’t forget to add AFROBEATP5BRIEF among your keywords so we can track down and promote your content
  • Please note you can apply tags to existing tracks in your portfolio.

 
Check out more Music Briefs and get inspired for your next production.

 
Top Image: ‘The Tube’ Tv Show, Uk by ITV_Archive.

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Creative Briefs: Transportation

USE THIS SPECIAL KEYWORD IN YOUR METADATA SO WE CAN PROMOTE YOUR CONTENT PROPERLY: TRANSPORTATIONPOND5BRIEF

 
With a history spanning over 5,000 years, transportation has continuously evolved from humble beginnings with horses and the invention of the wheel to monumental achievements like the space shuttle’s first flight. Unsurprisingly, transportation remains an evergreen content category, consistently in high demand. Fasten your seatbelts, get inspired, and let your imagination take flight with this month’s Creative Briefs Topic: Transportation.

 

Last call to boarding!

Walk us through the whole airport process from check-in to boarding. Commercially cleared footage, in particular, has a tremendous potential to become the next best-seller.

  • Wide shot of the airport exterior with planes taking off and landing.
  • Travelers checking in at airline counters.
  • Footage of luggage getting scanned at security checkpoints.
  • People walking through the airport terminal.
  • Close-up of boarding passes scanned at the gate.
  • Passengers boarding the plane. Cabin crew greeting passengers.

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Fast and Not So Furious

From summer road trips to annoying traffic jams, cars are one of the most popular types of transportation. Don’t forget the gaining popularity of electric vehicles!

  • Time-lapse of cars on a busy highway or city street.
  • POV shot of driving on a scenic road.
  • Traffic jams with frustrated drivers.
  • Electric vehicle charging at a charging station.
  • Close-up of an electric car dashboard and controls.
  • People getting in and out of different car models.

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Choo-choo On the Rails

Buyers want everything from vintage locomotives to high-speed trains, waiting at the station platform, boarding, or romantic views during the golden hour. Trains are eco-friendly, more affordable, and always in high demand.

  • Vintage steam train passing by.
  • People waiting at a train station platform.
  • Passengers boarding a modern high-speed train.
  • Inside shot of a train cabin with passengers.
  • POV shot of the passing scenery from a train window.
  • Train conductor checking tickets.
  • Departure and arrival boards at a train station.

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Aye, Captain!

Boat transport is sometimes the only way from point A to point B. From kayaks and canoes to speedboats, ferries, and cruise ships, upload the onboard lives of passengers and crew.

  • Kayakers paddling through a river or lake.
  • Speedboat cruising on the water
  • Ferry docking and passengers getting on/off.
  • Sailboat gliding on the open sea.
  • Captain and crew operating a boat.
  • Aerial shot of boats sailing in a harbor.

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Public Transport

One of the most economical options for commuting is via public transportation. Capture your city’s buses, taxis, and underground system and still get to work on time!

  • People entering and exiting subway stations.
  • Trains, buses, trams, etc. arriving and departing from platforms.
  • POV shot of riding on a subway train, a bus or other vehicles.
  • Underground tunnels and tracks
  • Commuters on escalators and moving walkways.

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Vroom With a View

Sometimes, two wheels are enough to see the spectacular scenery around you. Show us the POV footage from a motorcycle and the beautiful machines and people operating them – no matter if you’re a Harley Davidson Biker or a city rider on the latest Vespa!

  • POV shot of riding a motorcycle through scenic landscapes.
  • Close-up of motorcycle engines and details.
  • Bikers in a group ride.
  • People wearing motorcycle gear and helmets.
  • Motorcycles parked in a row at a gathering or event.

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On the Road

Professional drivers spend the majority of the day behind the steering wheel. Create content of workers loading trucks at the warehouse, views from inside the cabin or the cargo in the back, as well as the everyday life of truck drivers.

  • Trucks being loaded and unloaded at a warehouse.
  • Interior shot of a truck cabin while driving.
  • Truck driver interacting with paperwork or GPS.
  • POV shot of driving a truck on the highway.
  • Truck stopping at a rest area or truck stop.
  • Trucks of different sizes and types on the road.

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Like a Boss!

Is land transportation, not your thing? Then capture the luxurious lifestyle of the rich and famous traveling on helicopters, yachts, or private jets.

  • Aerial shot of a luxury yacht sailing in the sea.
  • Helicopter taking off and landing.
  • Interior shots of a private jet with luxurious amenities.
  • Yacht party with people enjoying the view and activities.
  • VIPs boarding a private jet or luxury vehicle.

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In Harmony With Nature

Are you a friend of nature and travel your daily commute to work using a bike, in-line skates, or a skateboard? Submit the lifestyle footage of doing so!

  • Cyclists riding on urban streets or scenic paths.
  • People using electric scooters or skateboards for commuting.
  • Commuters with backpacks riding bikes to work.
  • In-line skaters skating on city streets or in parks.
  • Shots of bike lanes and bike-sharing stations.

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Submission Ideas

Remember to capture various angles, perspectives, and close-ups to provide versatile and dynamic footage. Pay attention to composition, lighting, and capturing authentic moments that showcase the essence of each transportation mode.

If you want more inspiration from our Artist community, look at our existing footage in this collection!

 

 Suitable Keywords:

Airport, Plane, Driving, Traffic, Train, Travel, Car, Traffic Jam, Motorcycle, Helicopter, Truck, Electric Car, Yacht, Boat, Canoe, Kajaks, etc.

 

 Target Group

All groups, especially corporations, marketing agencies, video producers, advertising, and politics, as Transportation and Infrastructure are among the key topics to discuss.
 

 Summary

  • Check out our marketplace for visual reference and inspiration.
  • Stand out and create something that pops out among the other search results.
  • USE THIS SPECIAL CODE IN YOUR KEYWORDS: TRANSPORTATIONPOND5BRIEF
  • Ensure your submission falls under commercial use by submitting the appropriate release forms when necessary.