Afrobeats has become a global musical phenomenon, transforming from a regional West African sound into a dominant force on global stages, and photographer Oliver Akinfeleye, known professionally as “Drummer,” has been there to document its meteoric rise. His new photo book, Eagle Eye, offers an intimate and powerful visual narrative of Afrobeats’ journey from modest beginnings to sold-out shows at venues like Madison Square Garden.
Since 2017, the Nigerian-American photographer has been granted exclusive backstage access to Afrobeats superstars including Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy. From quiet moments before performances to explosive stadium shows, Drummer has captured the full spectrum of the genre’s energy and emotion.
His first assignment came in 2017 at Echostage in Washington, DC, where he worked with Wizkid. That early opportunity launched what would become a comprehensive visual archive of one of Africa’s greatest cultural exports. “It was my job to tell the visual story of how it all went down,” Drummer told the BBC.
Eagle Eye follows the transformation of Afrobeats from small venue performances for diaspora audiences in the UK and US to an internationally recognized genre streamed billions of times. According to Spotify data, Afrobeats experienced a 550% growth in streams between 2017 and 2022. Artists like Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy have since sold out stadiums and collaborated with global stars, including Chris Brown and Alicia Keys.
The book also traces the musical lineage of Afrobeats, rooted in Highlife and Afrobeat (without the “s”), pioneered by Nigerian legend Fela Kuti. These styles, mixed with elements of funk, jazz, R&B, dancehall, and pop, created the unique modern sound now celebrated worldwide.
Photographs from the book include unforgettable moments like Davido commanding a massive crowd at Capital One Arena in 2023 and Wizkid lighting up Madison Square Garden in the green and white of the Nigerian flag. Other highlights feature Burna Boy’s stripped-down performance at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and the surprise appearance of Chris Brown alongside Wizkid at The O2 Arena in London an electrifying moment Drummer describes as “pure electricity.”
Beyond the bright lights, Eagle Eye also showcases the more human side of superstardom. One photo captures Wizkid alone backstage, lost in his phone a rare still moment that speaks volumes about the artist’s grounded presence amidst global fame.
Drummer, who grew up in New York with Nigerian roots, says he always felt drawn to framing moments through his mind’s eye, long before picking up a camera. His goal with Eagle Eye is to not just show, but make viewers feel the energy, pride, and cultural weight behind Afrobeats’ rise.
As Afrobeats continues to dominate global charts and influence even non-African artists, Eagle Eye stands as a landmark tribute to the genre’s power, its people, and its place in music history.
With Afrobeats now recognized by award bodies like the Grammys and enjoyed by fans from China to Brazil, Drummer’s work offers a lasting visual legacy of a movement that is still growing, loud, proud, and undeniably African.
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