Why Upcoming Musicians in Europe Often Outpace Their African Counterparts

Comparing the success of upcoming musicians in Europe and Africa involves navigating a complex web of socioeconomic, cultural, and infrastructural factors. While African music has gained significant global traction in recent years, particularly through genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano, emerging European musicians often appear to achieve faster or broader success due to systemic advantages. However, this is not a reflection of talent disparity but rather of structural and market dynamics. Below, I outline key reasons why upcoming musicians in Europe may outpace their African counterparts, while also acknowledging areas where African musicians are making remarkable strides.

1. Access to Established Music Infrastructure

• Europe: Europe has a well-developed music industry with robust infrastructure, including recording studios, music schools, and professional networks. Countries like the UK, Germany, and France host major record labels (e.g., Universal, Sony, Warner) and benefit from decades of investment in music production, distribution, and promotion. Emerging artists can access high-quality production facilities, experienced producers, and established distribution channels relatively easily.

• Africa: In many African countries, music infrastructure is less developed. While hubs like Lagos, Johannesburg, and Nairobi have growing music scenes, access to professional-grade studios, equipment, and trained personnel can be limited or expensive. Many African artists rely on DIY approaches or informal networks, which can slow professional output. For example, piracy and inadequate copyright enforcement, particularly in Nigeria, have historically hindered revenue generation, with up to 80% of international music CDs and 40% of local CDs being illegally copied.

• Impact: European musicians benefit from a streamlined ecosystem that allows quicker production and distribution, giving them an edge in releasing polished work and reaching global audiences faster.

2. Market Size and Economic Opportunities

• Europe: Europe’s music market is one of the largest globally, with high consumer spending on music through streaming platforms, concerts, and merchandise. The EU’s GDP per capita allows fans to support artists financially, and platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are deeply integrated into the market. Additionally, European artists often have easier access to lucrative markets in North America due to cultural and linguistic proximity.

• Africa: Africa’s music market, while growing, faces economic constraints. Lower GDP per capita in many African countries limits consumer spending on music, and streaming platforms, though increasingly popular, have lower penetration due to internet access issues. For instance, Nigeria’s large population (over 213 million) gives it a digital advantage, with 43-51% internet penetration, but this is still lower than Europe’s near-universal access. Many African artists rely on live performances and festivals for income, which were severely disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Impact: The larger, more affluent European market provides upcoming artists with greater financial support and exposure, enabling faster career growth compared to African artists who often face economic barriers.

3. Global Visibility and Media Exposure

• Europe: European artists benefit from proximity to global media hubs (e.g., London, Paris) and established platforms like BBC Radio, MTV Europe, and major music festivals (e.g., Glastonbury, Roskilde). These outlets amplify new talent quickly, and English-language music from countries like the UK has a built-in global audience due to linguistic accessibility.

• Africa: African artists often face challenges in gaining international media attention. While platforms like Music In Africa and OkayAfrica highlight African talent, global media tends to focus on a few countries (e.g., Nigeria, South Africa), sidelining artists from smaller markets like Malawi or Senegal. Grammy categories like “Best Global Music Performance” have been criticized for over-representing Nigeria and Benin, ignoring other African nations. Additionally, African artists face stereotypes, with their music often pigeonholed as “World Music,” limiting mainstream exposure.

• Impact: European artists have a structural advantage in accessing global media, allowing them to build international fanbases more quickly than African artists, who must often rely on viral platforms like TikTok for breakthroughs.

4. Visa and Travel Barriers

• Europe: European musicians, particularly those from Schengen countries, enjoy visa-free travel within the EU and relatively easy access to the US and other global markets. This facilitates international tours, collaborations, and festival performances, which are critical for career growth.

• Africa: African artists face stringent visa requirements that hinder international mobility. For example, Schengen visa rejection rates are high for African countries (e.g., 53% for Guinea-Bissau, 51% for Nigeria), and UK visas often require proof of assets, which many artists lack. These restrictions limit opportunities for African musicians to perform at major global venues or collaborate with international artists, stunting their global reach.

• Impact: European musicians can tour and network internationally with fewer logistical hurdles, giving them a head start in building global careers compared to African artists, who face systemic travel barriers.

5. Cultural and Historical Influences

• Europe: European music builds on centuries of classical, folk, and pop traditions, with a global influence rooted in colonialism and cultural exportation. This historical dominance means European artists operate in a framework where their music is seen as a global standard, making it easier to gain acceptance in diverse markets.

• Africa: African music, while rich and diverse, has historically been marginalized due to colonial suppression of traditional forms. Post-decolonization, artists have had to reclaim and rebrand genres like Afrobeat or Amapiano for global audiences. However, the diaspora has played a crucial role in popularizing African music, with events like Afro Nation and “Detty December” in Nigeria and Ghana amplifying visibility.

• Impact: European artists inherit a culturally dominant framework that facilitates global acceptance, while African artists must overcome historical marginalization, though diaspora networks are closing this gap.

6. Education and Training Opportunities

• Europe: Europe offers extensive music education through conservatories, universities, and informal mentorship networks. Programs in countries like the UK (e.g., BRIT School) or Sweden (e.g., Musikmakarna) provide structured training in performance, production, and music business, giving emerging artists a professional edge.

• Africa: Formal music education is less widespread in Africa, with many artists learning through community traditions or self-taught methods. While griot traditions in West Africa or choral training in South Africa provide strong foundations, access to modern music business education is limited. This can delay professionalization for African artists.

• Impact: European artists benefit from formalized training that aligns with global industry standards, enabling faster career development compared to African artists, who often rely on informal learning.

7. Collaboration and Industry Networks

• Europe: The European music industry fosters collaborations through festivals, labels, and cross-border initiatives like Eurovision. Proximity to major artists and producers in cities like London or Berlin allows emerging musicians to network and collaborate easily.

• Africa: While African artists are increasingly collaborating with Western stars (e.g., Burna Boy with Ed Sheeran, Stonebwoy with Emeli Sandé), these opportunities are often limited to established artists. Emerging artists face challenges accessing such networks due to geographic and economic barriers.

• Impact: European artists’ proximity to global industry hubs facilitates collaborations that boost visibility, while African artists must often rely on digital platforms or diaspora connections to access similar opportunities.

Counterpoints: African Musicians’ Growing Global Impact

Despite these challenges, African musicians are making significant strides:

• Viral Platforms: Artists like Tyla and Master KG have leveraged TikTok and YouTube to achieve global success, with songs like “Water” and “Jerusalema” going viral.

• Diaspora Influence: The African diaspora in Europe and North America has been instrumental in popularizing genres like Afrobeats, with artists like Wizkid and Burna Boy gaining Grammy recognition.

• Cultural Innovation: African genres like Amapiano and Afrobeats are reshaping global music trends, with artists like Ayra Starr and Tems leading a new wave of female-led success.

• Local Resilience: Artists like Sha Sha and Babalwa M have dominated regional scenes, showing that African musicians can build strong local fanbases despite infrastructural challenges.

Conclusion

Upcoming European musicians often outpace their African counterparts due to superior infrastructure, larger markets, easier global access, and historical cultural dominance. However, African artists are overcoming these barriers through digital platforms, diaspora networks, and innovative genres, with stars like Tyla and Burna Boy proving the continent’s global potential. The gap is narrowing as African music gains mainstream recognition, but systemic challenges like visa restrictions and economic disparities continue to hinder emerging African talent. For a deeper understanding, exploring platforms like Music In Africa or OkayAfrica can provide insights into African artists’ breakthroughs.