Alté music has recently sparked conversations with fans and critics alike dissecting how the scene operates. Terms like "useless Nintendo music" and "non mainstream" have been used to describe its non-conformist nature. For many, alté is a lifestyle, a cultural movement and a community. So, what really is alté? and why has it become such a force?

According to the Urban Dictionary, Alté (uhl-te), "means 'alternative', while often misunderstood for a habit; it is a lifestyle; a group of Nigerian youth with a unique sense of fashion and music. Alté fashion embraces a retro and vintage style that is sometimes tagged as "new school". Alté music on the other hand is not as mainstream. It is a melodic, whimsy, almost-spiritual groove." It is typically regarded as more original, or challenging than conventional mainstream sounds. It embodies non-conformity, blending various genres to create a beautiful and new sound. Musically, alté is characterized by its laid back style; featuring instruments such as the synth and drum machines to create mellow sounds. This is in contrast to mainstream afrobeats, which have a more upbeat quality, mostly achieved with the use of instruments like the conga, akuba and the saxophone. The instrumentation differences are integral to defining the unique sound that is uhl-te.

The term alté is the Nigerian slang for 'alternative', which represents individuality, freedom of expression and creativity; non-conformity is the central pillar of all things alté. Coined in the mid 2010s, by the group DRB LasGidi; this term was first heard on BOJ's song, 'Paper', which was released in 2014. Alté music, while it is distinct in sound and style, is a subgenre of mainstream Nigerian music, contrasting yet drawing influence from it. It emerged as an alternative to the dominant Afrobeats sound, fusing elements of R&B, hip-hop, highlife, and electronic music to create something fresh and eclectic.

Over time, alté has grown to represent a movement and subsequently, a culture. The movement has driven significant cultural change- particularly in terms of music, lifestyle and fashion. Pioneers like Teezee, Boj , Cruel Santino (formerly Ozzy B), Lady Donli, and contemporary artists such as Odunsi (The Engine), Show Dem Camp , Ajebutter22, Len and Amaarae , have been central figures in shaping and expanding the alté community. Artists like Tems and Rema have also contributed significantly to the alté scene despite their mainstream influence. Making and contributing to bangers like "Why?", "Reason You" by Rema and "Mr Rebel", "Too Bad" by Tems.

The alté scene has grown so much and is gaining popularity even within global and international media. Alté artists like Lady Donli, Cruel Santino, and Odunsi have managed to carve out spaces for themselves beyond the African music scene. Nigerian alté artists have also performed at major global events like Afropunk and South by Southwest (SXSW), garnering attention from both fans and industry professionals. Their appearances at these festivals express the genre's potential to influence global music and culture, positioning alté artists as key players in the global music conversation. The non-conformist nature of this movement birthing a diverse range of talent in Nigeria and even Africa as a whole, altering the perception of mainstream music and showcasing a new wave of music within Africa.

The alté movement has gone beyond music- it influences fashion, lifestyle and community, upstaging the mainstream to fuse different aesthetics and create something fresh, catalyzing an uproar in the fashion and creative scene. Key figures, such as Ashley Okoli and Wavythecreator have served cunt before we had a tag for it and have influenced a long-lasting impact on the Alté fashion scene in Nigeria along with others like Bryan Ibeh and Mowalola. Additionally, the alté pioneers have risen to create communities and events centered around platforming and supporting rising stars who have decided to go against the norm. Some examples being Nativeland, The Basement Gig, Alte Culture Festival, and many others.

Despite it being mainly a male-dominated field, women like BXKS, DEELA, DETO BLACK, MOLIY, Somadina and others have been instrumental in this field. Their music, albeit recent, have been key in amplifying and diversifying the alté sound.

Within the African scale, the alté movement has influenced Africans as a collective to challenge existing stereotypes and embrace new styles of fashion, lifestyle, intellectualism and other beliefs. Alté has also served to give outliers a community and a voice. Through this movement, more people are able to find others who they relate to and who understand them outside of the conventional. The influence of alté within the continent cannot be overemphasized.

Alté challenges conventional norms and beliefs, blending genres and experimenting with sounds in ways that may not immediately resonate with all listeners. It could even be considered an acquired taste. However, at its core, alté is music—and music is art. Like any form of art, it thrives on creativity, self-expression, and pushing boundaries. As we know, art has no rules and the alté scene takes advantage of that by allowing for creative deviance and abstract concepts.

Alté should be approached with an open mind, to enable listeners to uncover the richness and depth of the blended sounds. Granted, it might not be for everyone's palate, but its beauty cannot be undermined.

Indeed, the alté movement is all-encompassing, carving and shaping out its niche within rigid stereotypes. For anyone looking to explore the genre, there are a plethora of captivating songs to explore. Songs such as "Know you?" and "High Roller" by HASEL , "No more" by Ceeside and "Darling" by Meraki are great openers by contemporary artists who are just breaking into the alternative field of music.

For older and more popular alternative music, you could consider listening to "Back in Office" by Odunsi (The Engine) , "Set Tha Fire/Lova Gyal" by Lady Donli, "4ever" by Cruel Santino and Len , "Point and Kill" by Obongjayar and Little Simz , '"Don't Stop Now" by Santaklara and "Attends" by Brazy . These songs express more of a pop/dancehall vibe and are perfect for anyone who likes dance music. For anyone who is new to this and looking to explore alté sounds, we will leave a link to a playlist we have created, filled with all our alté favorites. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.