NCT is one of Korean pop's most multifaceted boy bands. The 26-member group debuted with a limitless members concept and currently has five active subunits (NCT 127, NCT Dream, WayV, NCT DoJaeJung, and NCT New Team) and a rotational unit (NCT U). Since their debut in 2016, the group has created different musical styles to suit different demographics. Additionally, the group boasts a diverse cultural background and spoken languages as members hail from countries such as South Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, Canada, and the United States. 

An acronym for Neo Culture Technology, NCT's large number allows them to experiment with limitless genres and sounds. In the words of member Johnny Suh, "There are no boundaries to the music we can accomplish." 

The SM Entertainment boy group has always derived inspiration from other cultures, blending it with Korean or Chinese cultures to make their music and choreographies unique. In this piece, let us check out five times NCT incorporated elements of Afrobeats into their songs and choreographies.

NCT 127: Kick It

A few months after giving Africa a shoutout at the MTV EMA 2019, NCT 127 acknowledged African culture with their song “Kick It.” Produced by DemJointz and released in 2020, the choreography saw the nine members hit the Gwara Gwara (popular South African dance) in the chorus. “Kick It” was choreographed by South Korean hip-hop dancer Jung Koo Sung, who has danced to songs by African artists such as Oxlade and Amaarae during his dance sessions. 

NCT 127: Music, Dance

NCT 127’s first attempt to incorporate Afrobeats into their sound was with the 2020 song “Music, Dance” from the album NCT Resonance Pt.1. A statement from SM Entertainment described it as “an afrobeat dance song that combines minimalist track and addictive bass lines.” Although this statement excited many fans and increased anticipation towards the track, its release disappointed fans as many could not identify the afro-element of the song. 

NCT Dream: Hot Sauce

On May 10, 2021, NCT Dream released “Hot Sauce” from their first full-length album of the same title. Staying true to NCT's experimental style, the septet incorporated elements of Afrobeats into the hip-hop track. “Hot Sauce” also boasts a chanting and chilling vibe in the chorus, adding to the song’s appeal. When asked to identify the Afro-elements of the song, Ghanaian music writer and consultant Ian Priceless described it as “tricky.” “The time step is leaning more into hip-hop, but you can subtly hear the African drum styles, he stated. Another Afro-element included in “Hot Sauce” is the South African dance, the “Gwara Gwara,” which the group added to its choreography. 

NCT Dream’s “Hot Sauce” can be described as the love child of creatives from Sweden, Zimbabwe, the United States, and South Korea. It features production from the LA-based Swedish producer Martin Wave and the Grammy-nominated Zimbabwean producer Pip Kembo (Dr. Chaii). "Hot Sauce" was further enhanced by SM Entertainment's in-house record producer (former), Yoo Young Jin. The producers also participated in writing the trilingual song (English, Spanish, and Korean) with the help of other writers, including Zimbabwe’s Tinashe Sibanda and Soaky Siren.

SMTOWN (NCT x aespa) - ZOO

For the SM Entertainment collaborative album, 2021 Winter SMTOWN: SMCU EXPRESS, some NCT members teamed up with Giselle of aespa for “ZOO.” NCT members Taeyong, Jeno, Hendery, and YangYang participated in the Keelah Jacobsen and RYAN JHUN-produced song. “ZOO” marks the first collaboration between NCT and aespa and sees the quintet singing about breaking the rules and taking over their world. Ian Priceless described the electronic pop-influenced track as “having Afro-elements to give the song some bounce.” In addition to the Afro-elements of the song, “ZOO” incorporates the Ghanaian dance network in the choreography made by Taeyong and South Korean dancer Bada Lee. 

Due to its Afro-elements and social media popularity, “ZOO” occupied spots on the Spotify Daily Viral Songs chart in some African countries. It set a record as SM’s highest-charting song on the Spotify charts in 2022. In Egypt, it spent 19 days on the chart, making it the only SM Entertainment song to make it to Kimchi and Kenkey’s Top 30. It received more love in Morocco, spending 40 days on the Spotify chart, surpassing GOT THE BEAT’s “Step Back,” which spent 17 days, and Seulgi’s "28 Reasons, " which spent five days. It ranked No. 3 on Kimchi and Kenkey’s Top 30 list for South Africa, having charted for 34 days and peaked at No.23. 

NCT 127: Fact Check

In October 2023, NCT 127 redeemed themselves with “Fact Check,” a dance song with an intense main synth loop and afro rhythm. Arguably the most Afrobeats-sounding NCT track, it was released on October 6 as the title track of their fifth album of the same title. Ghanaian music consultant Ian Priceless described “Fact Check” as a track that fully employs the three or five-step melody pattern of Highlife/Afrobeats."Of course, they infused it with K-pop elements, but it can catch the ears of African music lovers, because of the rhythm," he remarked.

“Fact Check’s” afro-influence goes beyond the sound to its choreography, made by the leader Taeyong. Speaking about the choreography during the album showcase, Taeyong said, “I worked on the choreo and loved every part of the process. It took me an hour to come up with the dance moves. I like Afro beats, and I was lucky to be able to participate in the choreography.” Ghanaian dancer and choreographer Yvonne Afriyie Okyere identified various dances, including the “happy feet,” “chaskele,” “network,” and “afro house dance (two-step). 

Waiting on WayV

Many fans of NCT and WayV have expressed their desire to see the Chinese subunit release an Afro-influenced track. Videos of the WayV member Ten’s dance practices further increased the call for WayV to dabble in Afrobeats. Adding to the list is the producer Mike Daley, who worked on WayV’s songs “Bad Alive” and “Try My Luck.” During a Twitter Space in January 2023, he stated he envisioned a new sound for WayV as somewhat afrobeat, dance-focused, and aggressive. 

WayV also has a soft spot for Africa. While the group’s rapper, YangYang, mentioned wanting to visit Africa, the group’s leader Kun revealed his father stayed in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a year. Following their second full-length album release, On My Youth, the group shared a TikTok video with the sound “Premier Gaou” by Magic System as they prepared for their showcase tour. 

What is your favorite NCT-Afro Song? Let us know in the comments.