Journey of the Beats, an epic docu-series about Afrobeats, is coming to Showmax

“Music is the fuel that fires up our souls. It’s the oldest form of communication, predating language itself. African music is synonymous with the word Afrobeats.” So begins the first episode of Journey of the Beats, a docu-series that follows the journey of Nigerian and black music through the years. The ten-part documentary series is produced by creative entrepreneur, Obi Asika, and begins on Showmax on 23 June.

Told through the lens of music historians and some of Nigeria’s biggest artists, like 2Baba, P-Square, Onyeka Onwenu, Daddy Showkey, Flavour, and D’Banj, the series tells traces the origins of Afrobeats. 

Journey of the Beats: watch the trailer

It also explores how this generation of Nigerian artists found their confidence and identity through music and how Afrobeats went global, as Nigerian youth culture and African music found their way into households around the world. Journey of the Beats tells the story of a distinctly African sound that unlocked a movement, from small independent labels and promoters in Lagos, to spread globally and produce billions of streams, hits, and fans.

According to Asika: “The show came about from conversations with collaborators over the years and the need to document the journey of our music, to celebrate those who made it happen and share their stories. It’s incredible that people are going to watch this brilliant piece of work as it educates, empowers, and enables more people to engage the industry and see the breadth, reach, and power of our music. I am hopeful the impact is wider than the music industry as our music affects fashion, dance, lifestyle, movies, and entertainment as well.”

Showmax Head of Content, Candice Fangueiro, added that: “The growth of Afrobeats cannot be overstated and we feel privileged as a platform to showcase and tell the story behind its evolution.”

Afrobeats is making waves globally with artists like Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, and more selling out major venues across the world, and a number of the artists even bagging Grammy nods and wins. The series goes behind the scenes to shed light on the movement that has taken the world by storm.

The Journey of the Beats is a once-in-a-lifetime story told through the eyes of those who have led and continue to champion the movement.

Journey of the Beats will be available exclusively on Showmax from 23 June, with new episodes dropping weekly.