Brief
Lagos hypemen reshape Afrobeats with high‑octane ad‑libs and viral hype culture
The Guardian profiles Lagos hypemen who blend shout‑style vocals with fresh beats, creating a sub‑genre called Afrohype.
By Felo News Desk · Published
According to the Guardian, a new wave of Lagos performers known as hypemen are reshaping Afrobeats by delivering high‑octane, ad‑libbed vocals over popular instrumentals, a style the outlet describes as "Afrohype" or "lamba".
The movement centres on 32‑year‑old Tobi Michael Adeyeye, who performs under the name Toby Shang. He first gained attention during his first‑year presentation at the University of Lagos in 2015, where classmates nicknamed him after a Chinese dynasty. By his final year, his viral catchphrases produced a hit song titled "Shedibalabala". Since graduating, Shang has hosted his own rave, released two EPs and run four editions of a one‑day masterclass called the School of Hype, which mentors emerging artists.
Hypemen do not traditionally sing or rap; instead they overlay "high‑octane ad‑libbed vocals and onomatopoeic sounds" onto fresh beats or well‑known instrumentals such as "Dorime", a Nigerian version of the 1996 French track "Ameno". Nightclub audiences often celebrate performances by throwing or placing money on the performer, a custom that underscores the genre’s popularity at weddings, raves and corporate events.
Women are also making an impact despite the genre’s male‑dominated reputation. The Yaoundé‑based artist Lady Ponce, dubbed the "100,000‑volt lady", is noted for her energetic presence. Other female figures include the late Deborah ‘Hype Queen Baddy’ Francis, an alumna of Shang’s School of Hype, and Lagos radio presenter Melody “M. I. A” Adigo.
London‑based doctor and cultural critic Dami Ajayi, who encountered a hypeman at a party in Tirana, said hypemen "have the gift of the gab and fine mic control" but also noted that some of their quips can be "frontally risque and misogynistic". The Guardian links the practice to historic African oral traditions, tracing roots to West African griots and to African‑American negro spirituals that used call‑and‑response patterns.
On Instagram, a teenage creator has gained fame by recording 30‑second hype clips for birthday celebrants, illustrating how the style has migrated to social media. The article also mentions that TikTok content is embedded in the piece, though access requires user permission.
Key facts
- Toby Shang, real name Tobi Michael Adeyeye, popularised the hypeman style with the hit song "Shedibalabala". (theguardian.com)
- Hypemen overlay ad‑libbed vocals onto beats such as the Nigerian version of "Ameno" called "Dorime". (theguardian.com)
- Women like Lady Ponce and the late Deborah ‘Hype Queen Baddy’ Francis are active in the hypeman scene. (theguardian.com)
- The Guardian connects hypemen to historic African oral traditions like griots and US negro spirituals. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Hilarious quips and ‘100,000-volt’ energy: the hypemen (and women) redefining Afrobeats music”
