Apala

---

title: "Apala" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["20th-century-music-genres", "african-popular-music", "nigerian-styles-of-music", "yoruba-music"] description: "Music genre in Nigeria" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apala" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Music genre in Nigeria ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox music genre"]

Field	Value
name	Apala
stylistic_origins
cultural_origins	1930s, Yoruba people in Colonial Nigeria, British West Africa
regional_scenes	Nigeria
::

| name = Apala | stylistic_origins = | cultural_origins = 1930s, Yoruba people in Colonial Nigeria, British West Africa | regional_scenes = Nigeria Apala (or akpala) is a music genre originally developed by the Yoruba people of Nigeria, during the country's history as a colony of the British Empire. It is a percussion-based style that originated in the late 1930s. The rhythms of apala grew more complex over time, and have influenced the likes of Cuban music, whilst gaining popularity in Nigeria. It has grown less religious centered over time.

Apala music is an offshoot of Wéré music.

Instruments include a rattle (sekere), thumb piano (agidigbo) and a bell (agogô), as well as two or three talking drums.

Ayinla Omowura Yekinni (Y.K.) Ajadi and Haruna Ishola - amongst others - were notable performers of apala music, these two icons played a major role in popularising the genre. It is distinct from, older than, and more difficult to master than fuji music. Although fuji music remains one of the popular form of traditional music amongst Yorubas in Nigeria, apala is still very popular amongst Muslims of the Yoruba tribe.

Styles

Apala fusion, apala pop, apala trap and street pop

Variant styles of apala include apala pop, apala trap, and apala-fusion, with musical artists such as Terry Apala, Olamide, DJ Tunez and Seyi Vibez being prominent figures associated with apala-centered musical styles. Street pop, also known as street hop, is a genre that emerged in Nigeria in the 21st century. It blends experimental rap with vocal performance, integrating elements of Nigerian hip hop, Nigerian street music, and contemporary African genres. Street pop incorporates aspects of Western music, and its sound is notably influenced by apala music.

References

References

1. (1999). "Africa, Europe and the Middle East". Rough Guides.
2. (2018-07-03). "Traditional Music and the Expression of Yoruba Socio-cultural Values: A Historical Analysis". Muziki.
3. (2022-03-20). "INTERVIEW: Why young Nigerian musicians are avoiding Fuji music - KWAM 1 {{!}} Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times.
4. Music, FujiNaija. (2021-01-12). "Origin of Apala Music (Part 2: Conclusion)".
5. (2016-12-07). "Terry's modern mix of apala and hip hop".
6. Ajose, Kehinde. (2022-03-27). "I'm not under pressure to change my style of music — Terry Apala".
7. (2023-02-07). "The changing face of Nigerian street-pop".
8. Ihejirika, Uzoma. (2023-02-07). "For Its Next Lap, Nigeria's Street Pop Is Pushing Into Experimental Fields".
9. Okwuego, Oluchi. (2023-12-21). "Spotify hails Olamide as top street pop influencer".
10. Adebiyi, Adeayo. (2024-05-17). "Is Afrobeats ready for a Fuji or Apala album?".
11. Ige, Tofarati. (2024-06-07). "I'm determined to preserve apala music — Terry Apala".

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