MAMI WATA is the evolution of BCN AFROBEATS, which emerged in 2016 and was a collective of musicians from the afro-beat and West african music scene in Barcelona (Alma Afrobeat Ensemble, Nakany Kanté, Yacine & The Oriental Grooves, and Kwame Afrovibes). Their live show encompasses elements from afro-beat, soul, funk and jazz.

The band took part in The LET IT BEAT Festival (Barcelona's first Afrobeat Festival) as the house band, and was chosen from 600 applications to play at the acclaimed BAM Festival of Barcelona (2019).

BCN Afrobeats also created Bcn Afrobeat Sessions, monthly afro-beat jam sessions that took place in the town for three years. Artists such as Nakany Kanté, DESIREE DIOUF, Yacine Belahcene, Indee Styla, Marga Mbande, Yasmeen Quintana, Joe Psalmist (Alma Afrobeat Ensemble), Kwame Adzraku (Kwame Afrovibes), Gonçalo Sarmento (Terrakota) and graffiti artist Akore were among the many artists that took part.