Alté

Alté (locally pronounced as "uhl-teh"),[1] is a fusion genre of music that combines elements of afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, hip hop, and alternative R&B. The term was coined in the 2010s by Nigerian music group DRB LasGidi, meaning alternative and "individualistic and non-traditional modes of self-expression" through music and fashion.[1]

Alté
Stylistic origins
Cultural origins2010s, Nigeria
Typical instruments
Regional scenes
Nigeria, Ghana

Characteristics

Alté fuses a wide array of musical influences from Afrobeats, rap, R&B, soul, dancehall, and others.[2] The term was coined by DRB LasGidi members and was first heard on Boj's 2014 song "Paper", it was later used to describe left-field styles of music. TeeZee explained the term saying "Alté is Nigerian lingo for 'alternative' which means freedom of expression essentially through any medium. It's been going on since the '60s as Africans always experimented with music. It became recognized as a style or genre from about 2012 upwards and it broke into the mainstream in 2016 with the rise of its new stars."[3] Its fashion culture is been inspired by the early 2000s, and its music videos is been inspired by the 1990s Nollywood horror drama.

History

The Alté movement started around 2007 as exposure to the internet became prevalent among young Nigerians. The mid 2010s saw the emergence of the musical genre from DRB LasGidi members TeeZee, Boj, and Fresh L.[4] The style gained commercial success in the late 2010s with other Alté artists and pioneers including: Cruel Santino, Odunsi (The Engine), Zamir, Tems, Lady Donli, Nonso Amadi, Tay Iwar, Ayra Starr, Amaarae, WANI, Wavy the Creator, and Tomi Agape.[5][6][7] In 2017, Show Dem Camp released the song "Popping Again" featuring Boj and Odunsi (The Engine), with the music video showcasing the alté generation's stylistic culture.[8]

Success

Commercially, the genre has gained success, with few of its artists, making it into the American charts, and British charts. In October 2021, Tems' EP If Orange Was a Place became the first alté extended play to earn a spot on the Billboard World Albums and US Heatseekers Albums.[9][10]

References
  1. "The Alté Movement Is a Symbol of Rebellion for Young Nigerians". Teen Vogue. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  2. "DRB give an introduction to alté, the alternative sound of Nigeria". Red Bull. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  3. "DRB give an introduction to alté, the alternative sound of Nigeria". Redbull.
  4. "Alté, Nigeria's emancipated pop scene: 'People aren't used to being free'". The Guardian. 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  5. "An introduction to Nigeria's innovative 'alté' scene". Dazed Digital. 5 July 2019.
  6. "DRB LasGidi: "Altê's not a genre, it's not a type of music, it's just being different."". The Face.
  7. "How Santi & the Alté Movement Are Pushing Nigerian Music Forward". DJBooth.
  8. "SHOW DEM CAMP'S "POPPING AGAIN" SHOWS LAGOS' ALTE GENERATION IN ALL IT'S COLOURS". The Native Mag.
  9. "World Albums". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  10. "Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
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