In a living room and joined by various artists and musicians, the Woke Studios music collective enjoys a night of improvised live music and discussion. The core members of the collective, KAR33M, Banggz, T. Chandy, and Kenza Cardot, answer the question: What is Afrobeats?

Through a cacophony of instruments, they discuss the history of Afrobeats, such as its inception in Nigeria by Fela Kuti, the difference between Afrobeat and Afrobeats, and the genre’s standout element, the 5-beat groove. The founder of Woke Studios, KAR33M, describes the three pillars of Afrobeats as intentionality, community, and innate sexiness, and how these pillars inform the music that Woke Studios creates today.

Afrosphere explores the history and global impact of Afrobeats through the lens of Ottawa-based music collective Woke Studios as they prepare for a live music showcase and community event through their exploration of what it means to be an Afrobeats artist in Canada.