How to Make an Afrobeats Beat in FL Studio: Step by Step

Afrobeats is all about groove. A beat that really moves, with lots of percussion, warm chords and a bass that sings along. In this guide you'll make an afrobeats beat in FL Studio, from tempo to a loop a rapper or singer can work with.

What makes a beat afrobeats?

• A tempo between roughly 95 and 115 BPM.
• Lots of percussion layers, like shakers, congas and bongos, on top of a kick and a snare or rim.
• Rhythms that weave through each other. Soundtrap calls it polyrhythm: multiple rhythms that interlock.
• Accents in unexpected places, just off the beat.
• Warm chords and a melodic bass, often on a Rhodes, marimba or guitar.

Step 1: set the tempo

Set the tempo in FL Studio somewhere between 95 and 115 BPM. More on what BPM afrobeats is. Working from a sample? Find its tempo and key first with Beat Lab.

Step 2: pick warm chords

Soundtrap recommends chords with some color, like suspended chords or chords with sevenths and ninths. Play them on a Rhodes, a marimba, a guitar or a soft pad. Keep the progression short, so the groove can do the work.

Don't feel like working out chords? Download the MIDI with the free chord generator. For chords with sevenths and ninths, also check out R&B chord progressions with free MIDI.

Step 3: build the drums and percussion

The base: kick and snare or rim

Start with a kick and a snare or rimshot. According to RouteNote, the snare or rim often provides the main accents, with a skipping feel. The kick plays off that, or simply sits on every eighth note. Try both and see what grooves better.

Percussion layers

Now the fun part. Add percussion layer by layer: a shaker, congas, bongos, a single perc. Give each layer its own rhythm, so they don't all hit at the same time. That's what makes the beat move. Put each one on its own channel in the Channel rack, so you can set the volume and velocity per layer.

Looking for sounds made for this? NAME The Afro Oneshot Pack Vol. 1 includes 18 kicks, 26 snares, 20 percussion sounds and 14 shakers, among others, all royalty-free.

Step 4: make a bass that sings

In afrobeats the bass is often melodic. Soundtrap recommends starting with the root note of each chord, plus its octave and its fifth. Use those to play a short pattern that moves with the kick.

Step 5: add a melody

Use the notes from your chords, but put them in different places, with different lengths or in another octave. A bell or a marimba-like sound works well for a melody on top. Leave room for the voice.

Step 6: turn your loop into a beat

Turn your loop into a beat with a structure. A 16 bar verse and an 8 bar hook are common. Read what a bar is in rap. Pull a few percussion layers out in the verse and bring them back in the hook. That makes the hook feel fuller.

Afrobeats or amapiano?

They're often mentioned in the same breath, but they sound different. Amapiano is built around the log drum, a deep, percussive bass. Want to make that? Read how to make an amapiano beat.

Common mistakes

• All the percussion in the same spot. It gets busy, but it doesn't move.
• Too many chords. A short progression lets the groove shine.
• A bass that only plays the root. In afrobeats the bass is allowed to sing.
• No room for the voice. Keep the melody simple when someone sings or raps on it.

Rather try another genre? Read how to make a trap beat in FL Studio or how to make a boom bap beat in FL Studio. Mainly an artist? Browse the beats by NameOnTheBeat.

FAQ

What BPM is afrobeats?

Usually between roughly 95 and 115 BPM.

What's the difference between afrobeats and amapiano?

Amapiano is built around the log drum, a deep, percussive bass. Afrobeats leans more on percussion layers, warm chords and a melodic bass.

Which instruments fit afrobeats?

Think Rhodes, marimba, guitar, pads and bell-like synths, with shakers, congas and bongos underneath.

Source: production tips on afrobeats from Soundtrap and RouteNote.