Explore Alté on Josplay Music Due to its experimental nature, Alté music borrows rhythms from several genres across traditional genres and Western genres. Alte allows artists to be unconventional allowing for moments of minimalism and atmospheric ambience to create an atmosphere of intimacy and contemplation. It allows for little instrumentation in the intro and build up slowly, or just loop till the end.
Alté is known for fusing genres such as R&B, hip-hop, Afrobeat, electronic, and indie influences. It values experimentation and pushes the boundaries of traditional Nigerian music by incorporating elements of alternative pop, lo-fi aesthetics, and distinctive sonic textures.
Musically, Alté blends elements of Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, hip hop, and alternative R&B, creating a hybrid genre that resonates with a generation yearning for creative freedom. It challenges conventional Nigerian sounds, borrowing inspiration from global styles while maintaining a strong local identity. Alté artists embrace nostalgia, drawing from 1990s Nollywood horror drama for visual aesthetics and channeling the early 2000s in their fashion choices.
The Alté movement saw its "first wave" between 2009 and 2014, led by acts like DRB LasGidi, L.O.S, Ajebutter22, Show Dem Camp, and Blackmagic. The second wave, heralded by artists like Odunsi (The Engine), Cruel Santino, Lady Donli, Amaarae, Tay Iwar, and Nonso Amadi, introduced a more experimental approach. Platforms like SoundCloud allowed these artists to share their music globally, while events like NATIVELAND and The Basement Gig provided avenues for a physical community engagement.
Beyond music, Alté is a lifestyle. It champions individuality, non-conformity, and nostalgia, influencing fashion, art, and social expression. It enables artists to express themselves through their attire, creatives favor a more vibrant and daring look. The unique environment it creates for Nigerian artists to experiment with sounds, styles, and creative expression encourages artistic freedom, individuality, and sonic exploration.
Alté enables vocals that are more relaxed, emotive, and adaptable. obtaining melodic ideas from various musical genres, such as Soul, R&B, Afrobeats, etc. Artists can display their skill with lead and backing vocals as well as other experimental effects like auto-tune, distortion, and large hall reverbs on Alté.
Since Alté music draws from the individual creator's originality, it lacks a specific form and style. While some Alte songs focus on atmospheric and introspective melodic elements, others have catchy and contagious melodies.
Alté music often addresses social issues, personal conflicts, perspectives and fantasies. Alte music is expressive and gives freedom to the creatives to create from their point of view and be original.
To create their distinctive sonic palette, alternative artists frequently combine a variety of traditional and electronic instruments and sounds. Due to the combination of modern R&B, Afrobeat, electronic music, and alternative pop, the timbre is rich and layered.