Audio Paak Moves Into Afro House With New Single 'Fire'

From Afrobeats to Afro House

Audio Paak has been DJing since he was nine years old, spending years building a foundation in Afrobeats before his current pivot into Afro House. The shift is not a hard break—he is drawing more directly from African rhythms and cultural influences while incorporating melodic production and a different approach to dance music. Fire, released through Alikoto Music Consult, is the latest step in that progression.

Breaking Down the Track

A bouncy kick and shuffling percussion form the foundation of Fire, establishing a steady rhythmic base before the melodic elements enter. Synth progressions gradually fill out the production, while an expressive female vocal brings warmth to the arrangement and carries the main hook. Layered vocal textures add dimension as the track develops, supported by a lead arpeggiator, pulsing synth lines, and sustained pads. Grittier textures appear around those softer elements, giving the track contrast without pulling attention away from its melodic center.

Expanding the Sound

Audio Paak is using the new project to expand on what came before, combining his existing background with more melodic production while placing African rhythmic traditions within a contemporary electronic framework. The approach gives him room to develop this new side of his work without disconnecting it from his earlier output.

Fire is out now on Alikoto Music Consult and available on Beatport and Spotify.