History Made by The Jide Taiwo: Telling The Story of Afrobeats Book Explores the History of Nigeria’s Most Popular Genre

Over the two decades, the Nigerian music industry has grown in leaps and bounds, winning international awards, selling out iconic venues like the O2 and Barclays Center, and revolutionizing what it means to be young and African. The genre now known as Afrobeats is the culmination of many years of grit and innovation, as is the subject of the book History Made: The Most Important Nigerian Songs Since 1999 by writer, The Jide Taiwo.

While the genre didn’t start out as what is today, the elements of urban music have always been there and in 1999, the current music industry in Nigeria began in its present form. In that time, it has birthed hundreds and artistes and millions of songs. In History Made, Taiwo reflects on these twenty years and the most important songs that have been made over this period, while telling the history of the country itself.

“The book is titled History Made because in the last twenty years, Nigerian music has broken records time and time again, despite the vacuum from which it began,” Taiwo says from Lagos. “I feel it is my responsibility to share my thoughts and insight, which were formed from my years of experience as a writer, journalist and media executive.”

History Made takes on twenty-one songs and explores the themes, context, backstories and impact they’ve made since being released. For a generation of Nigerians has created the modern era by themselves, the current wave has not been documented as must as it should have, and Taiwo uses this book to document a part of the music history of this period.

History Made: The Most Important Nigerian Songs Since 1999 is The Jide Taiwo’s debut book and is available throughout the world via Roving Heights.