There’s no need to explain yourself. This is a safe space and I get it. You don’t get it. You don’t understand the hype, the colors, why their music videos look like that and why – if we’re being honest, most alté songs all sound lazy. They don’t have the oomph, the drive; the suffering that made Ojuelegba by Wizkid extra sweet. I know. It’s almost…unrelatable. And why listen to a song that doesn’t understand you?
If you find yourself on the outside looking in, wondering what the fuss is about, fear not. Here is a comprehensive, 8-step guide to listening to Alté music that should guide any Nigerian and help transform skepticism to appreciation.
Step 1: Leave your Musical Comfort Zone
Start by liberating your ears from your mainstream comfort zone. Put down the Davido and Kizz Daniel. Try to challenge yourself to let go of familiar rhythms and open your senses to the unfamiliar. Alté like every revolutionary genre is also a movement. It is about breaking free from the norm. So, you need to set your mindset to exploration mode.
Step 2: Do Your Homework
To truly appreciate Alté, delve into its influences and mechanics. Alté is a reiteration of indie sounds from a Nigerian source. It’s not a fusion of Afrobeats and Indie; rather, it’s Afrobeat music flourishing in an independent environment. Experimentation, creativity and authenticity flourish in such environments and the artists emphasized these ideals. DAZED reports that Alté is “an amalgamation of global influences obtained through slow speed early-00s internet connections, the rise of MTV, and their (the artists) own transcontinental experiences.”.
Step 3: Craft A Playlist
Playlists are indispensable. I don’t think there’s anything that can’t be accomplished with time, caffeine and the right playlist. Even discovering and understanding such a cryptic genre. Find the right playlist with enough known and unknown gems. Look out for the OGs; BOJ, DRB Lasgidi, Cruel Santino, and unexpected names as well like Kelechief or 3kene. I made a playlist of songs that I believe adequately represents the genre and you can start with that here!
Step 4: Pierce Your Ear/Dye Your Hair/Loc your Hair/Get a Tattoo
At this point, you’re already getting into the music. Now, it’s time to embrace the culture and there’s no better way to do it than with a permanent physical alteration. Santi has multiple piercings and blue hair; I think Odunsi just grew out his hair but once upon a time had platinum blonde hair; Ashley Okoli! And that’s all I need to say. I know it’s daunting but it is a small price to pay for individuality. So, grab that bleach or piercing gun and get to work.
Step 5: Raid Your Parents’ Wardrobe
Or any older relative. Alté fashion is a unique blend of something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Embrace oversized outfits from forgotten decades, confusing makeup and towering shoes. Alté fashion is so unique and influential that many mainstream artists have found themselves getting inspired. While I don’t endorse theft, borrowing your parents’ clothes might be the perfect homage to Alté’s influential style.
Step 6: Curate Your Alté Haven
Designate a space where you can fully immerse yourself in Alternative Afrobeats. Whether it’s a cozy corner or an aesthetic apartment, Alté people always have a space where the vibe is just right. Make this your sanctuary for musical exploration; listen to and make your playlists here. Fill it with vines, LED lights and Frank Ocean/Quentin Tarantino posters.
Step 7: Don’t be Shy, Join an Alté Community
Teezee, one of the pioneers of the genre has repeatedly noted that Alté was never meant to be a musical genre. It is a concept which has come to include a music genre, but it started as a way of being that champions individualistic and non-traditional modes of self-expression. In his conversation with Nelson C.J for Teen Vogue, he said that “The central idea is to stay true to yourself in spite of existing traditions or cultural restrictions.” Whether it is a dance group or paint and sip party, finding a community of such like-minded people would be a step towards lasting individualistic self-expression.
Step 8: Share the Happiness
At this step, you are most likely the most individualistic individual that ever did anything. Use your social media to reflect your love for the musical genre and lifestyle. Make vlogs documenting your days as an Alté listener, organize listening parties and go for yearly community events like NATIVELAND, Street Souk, The Block Parties. Now you understand that Alté is not just about music; it’s a rebellion against everything mainstream. Challenge yourself to appreciate the ever-evolving nature of Nigerian creativity by celebrating the freedom found in Alté.
