( CNN ) -- Step into any of the countless nightclubs in Lagos and you 're bound to find yourself immersed in a sonic journey of pulsating beats , groovy samples and hip-hop kicks . In a megacity where everybody loves to dance , the tone is set by the infectious sounds of Afrobeats -- a growing music movement that 's struck a chord with youth in West Africa and outside the continent . Although its name sounds similar to Afrobeat -- the eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary sounds pioneered by firebrand multi-instrumentalist Fela Kuti -- Afrobeats is a new genre on the Anglophone West African music scene . Back in late 1960s , Kuti , one of Africa 's biggest music stars , used his electrifying grooves and sharp-tongued lyrics as a political vehicle to oppose Nigeria 's military governments . Read : Blind music pioneer fires up Nigeria 's modern sound . Afrobeats , however , tends to steer clear from politics . Its mission , says well-known Nigerian music promoter Cecil Hammond , is to make people forget their everyday troubles and have a good time . `` Africa can be very stressful , '' he explains . `` So you need things to make you loosen up and make you happy -- and music makes Nigerians happy . '' Hammond says that Nigerian music today has changed a lot since the days of Kuti , who died in August 1997 . `` Nigerian artists do n't really want to get into politics , '' says Hammond . `` They tend to stay far away from it because at the end of the day , you have different political parties , you do n't want anyone to say you belong to this party or that party . `` The more neutral you are , the better -- so just focusing your music , give us good music , let everybody dance and that 's it . '' Kanya King : MOBO founder 's top 5 pop picks . Musically , however , the influence of Kuti is clearly evident on the new generation of Afrobeats artists . DJ Abrantee , a UK-based Afrobeats champion , says the new sounds derive from Afrobeat , having evolved over the years with various Afrobeats musicians experimenting to suit their individual styles . `` [ With ] the inclusion of non-traditional instruments , electronic sounds , grooves , synths , hip-hop kicks , it has become more than just the one typical style of beat used in the 1970s , '' he explains . `` It is now an amalgamation of beats . '' But who are some of the hottest names making strides in the Afrobeats scene ? Here , Abrantee picks five stars whose are breaking through commercially on the world stage . WizKid . `` WizKid is without a shadow of doubt on the verge of a worldwide explosion , '' declares Abrantee , who describes the Nigerian Afrobeats singer as a `` young talented guy who not only sings but pens some of the most musically catchy hooks in that genre . '' WizKid was recently signed by UK star Tinie Tempah 's management company . D'Banj . The Nigerian rapper is at the forefront of the Afrobeats scene , having enjoyed big international success with `` Oliver Twist , '' a global hit that made it to the Top 10 in UK charts . Abrantee says `` his music is infectious , fun , dynamic and appeals to the masses . '' In recent years , D'Banj has won several prestigious awards , including the Best African Act at the 2012 MOBO Awards . May7ven . Nigerian May7ven is a UK-based Afrobeats artist and singer-songwriter who is well known for her dancing . `` Her bold and catchy anthems in a predominately male-dominated industry have been leading the way and carrying the international flag for the ladies in Afrobeats , '' says Abrantee . Atumpan . The Ghanaian artist , also known as `` the talking drum , '' has had success with `` The Thing , '' a massive hit on dance floors in Africa and beyond . `` The dexterity and distinctness of his soulful voice complements his records and puts him in a firm position to have a long lasting career , '' says Abrantee . R2Bees . R2Bees is a super group featuring Ghanaian artists Paedae and Mugeez , produced by Killbeats , who is responsible for some of the biggest hits coming out of the West African country . Abrantee says they are the `` Afrobeats group to watch '' in 2013 , pointing to the anticipated release of their new single featuring UK star Tinchy Stryder .
Afrobeats is a West African style of music making waves internationally . It is distinct from Fela Kuti 's Afrobeat sound . Scene 's biggest names include D'Banj , Atumpan , Wizkid , May7ven and R2Bees .