House | Afro

Afro House, a sub-genre of House music, originated primarily in South Africa and encompasses elements of Kwaito, Tribal, Deep, and Soulful House. While classified as Deep House or Soulful House in South Africa, Afro House possesses a distinctive and unique sound. It draws inspiration from Africa's rich musical heritage, incorporating original percussion sounds and rhythms. Prominent cities in tune with the sub-genre include Pretoria, Soweto, Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town within South Africa. Internationally, cities like Amsterdam, Dubai, and Split/Dubrovnik have embraced the Afro House sound. Within the genre, there are different camps. One focuses on original African tribal sounds (tribal-house, Afro-beats), while the other blends Chicago/NYC Soulful House with an African twist, characterized by vocal-led and sophisticated styles. The growth and development of Afro House have been intertwined with significant changes in South Africa. The country's transition from Apartheid to majority rule in 1994, led by Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC), brought newfound freedom and an outpouring of musical talent and expression.