Ross-Emmanuel Bayeto, (born 25 February 1993) better known as Afro B, is a British DJ, singer and songwriter known for his hit song "Drogba (Joanna)", which peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart,[1] was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI)[2] and led to the creation of the "Drogba Challenge".[3] He also coined the term "Afrowave", a "fusion of hip-hop, dancehall and Afrobeat melodies".[4] He presents a Saturday night show on Capital Xtra, which is broadcast on DAB to most of the UK.[5]

Afro B
Birth nameRoss-Emmanuel Bayeto
Born (1993-02-25) 25 February 1993 (age 31)
Greenwich, London, England
GenresAfro-pop
Occupations
  • DJ
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Piano
  • vocals
Years active2013–present
Labels
WebsiteAfro B on Twitter

Early life

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Bayeto was born in south London to Ivorian and Akan parents, on 25 February 1993. In secondary school, St Paul's Academy, he learned how to play piano[6] He was part of a group named the All Star Skankers[4] and he later worked as a DJ in a London club named NW10.[7]

Discography

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  • Afrowave (2017)
  • Afrowave 2 (2018)
  • Afrowave 3 (2019)

References

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  1. ^ Gracie, Bianca (20 June 2019). "EMPIRE Signs London AfroWave Singer Afro B: Exclusive". Billboard. The single has now gained traction on the Billboard charts, where it currently sits at No. 23 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts, reaching a new peak.
  2. ^ "British certifications – Afro B". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 October 2022. Type Afro B in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  3. ^ Isama, Antoinette (2 March 2018). "The #DrogbaChallenge Is the Latest Dance Craze You Need to Get Into". okayafrica.com.
  4. ^ a b Afro B (7 April 2017). "Afro B talks the rise and rise of UK Afrobeats" (Interview). Interviewed by Red Bull UK.
  5. ^ Capital Xtra schedule, as of November 2021
  6. ^ Afro B (2019). "Afro B Is A DJ From UK, Knows No Joanna & Wrote 'Drogba' Hit in Just A Few Hours" (video). Interviewed by Honey German. Lubumbashi: Power 105.1. 2:00.
  7. ^ Afro B (22 February 2019). "Meet Afro B, The UK Artist Whose Hit Song "Joanna" Put Him Atop The Afrobeats Wave". Vibe (Interview). Interviewed by Stacy-Ann Ellis.