Fashion and design are constantly changing. Each season, new trends are produced while the previous ones go away. There are some patterns, nevertheless, that endure. Afrobeats culture styles are described in this way.
Great dance tunes emerged as African artists combined singing, rapping, auto-tune, and other diverse beats. Afropop music has evolved into a modern, progressive culture that has swept both Africa and the rest of the world. Fashion was impacted by the music business in the same way that pop culture was.
Music has got everything to do with it and fashion hasn’t been out of the conversation. An artist’s appearance on stage and at social gatherings has been shaped gradually over the years. Africa can boast of great talents in the creative arts industry. Few musicians on the continent have owned African fashion. These artists can be considered as Pan-Africanists. They project African fabric neatly put in their music videos and on the global stage.
Born Kwame Ametepee Tsikata, M.anifest, a popular Ghanaian hip hop, hiplife, afrobeat, and R&B performer, has over the years been pictured in African-themed costumes and vibrant varied Ghanaian beads. He has an amazing fashion sense. He combines vintage and modern styles to create a futuristic aesthetic that inspires an incredible sense of amazement. He has made African print costumes for men attractive with items like African print suits, blazers, and trousers, proving that he is a trendsetter in the field of African fashion.
He is a performer who is helping to promote Ghana. There is no denying that M.anifest has always been a fan of everything African, whether they’re prints or not. He has always promoted wearing Ghanaian clothing and promoted African culture in his music visuals and songs.
Nigeria’s sensation Yemi Alade is another act that does amazing stuff with African costumes. She is well-known for her spectacular display of African attire as well as her lovely voice. Her nickname “Mama Africa” resulted from this. This stunning, gifted, and vivacious musician could make plantain leaves appear amazing by rocking them. She received the honor of serving as the brand ambassador for Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria in 2016.
Since then, she has excelled at wearing African patterns, particularly Ankara clothing. There is no greater person to go to for inspiration whenever it comes to Ankara design than Yemi Alade. She is actually one of the few African performers that recognizes the influence of fashion and consistently uses it to advance her culture.
Sauti Sol is another big name as far as African fashion is concerned. The Kenyan-based boy band of four has been consistent in projecting the continent’s rich fabric in their performance. Sauti Sol is undoubtedly a pro when it comes to breaking boundaries in both music and fashion.
They already have a presence as a label and as the celebrities they are. One of their “less popular” ensembles from the Coke Studio Africa performance with Yemi Alade made it to an exhibition in the UK, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, owing to their outspoken views. The first significant exhibition in the UK devoted to African fashion was this one.
Another key personality that can never be excluded in a conversation like this is the continent’s five-time Grammy-winning songstress Angélique Kidjo. A singer-songwriter, actor, and activist from Benin who is of Nigerian origin, she is well known for her eclectic musical tastes and inventive music videos. She was referred to as “Africa’s premier diva” by Time magazine in 2007. No matter which part of Africa you are from, Angelique will make you feel represented and recognized with her use of beads, jewelry, headgears, and Ankara cloth.
Ghanaian musician, songwriter, creative director, and entrepreneur Kwame Nsiah-Apau, also known by his stage name Okyeame Kwame alias the “Rap Doctor” is another name in the fashion space. One can never take Okyeame Kwame’s sense of style away, if there is one thing. He has a distinctive style and is well-known in Ghana’s fashion sector as a result. He currently uses his platform to promote products made in Ghana and local brands.
African clothes and fashion is a broad subject that can offer a glimpse into several African cultures. Brightly colored textiles, robes with abstract embroidery, and vivid beaded bracelets and necklaces are only a few examples of the variety of clothing.
The time has come for African acts to deliberately adopt the use of African-made clothes more than ever. Such a move will go a long way to boost people’s confidence in African fabric as one of the best and expand the fashion industry.
