The past years have witnessed a seismic shift in the music industry with Afrobeats taking the world by storm, fueled by powerhouse collaborations between Nigerian and American artistes. These pairings have not just created chart-topping hits; they have transcended borders and redefined global sounds.
Here are 10 notable collaborations that have made waves in the industry:
Future feat. Drake & Tems – ‘Wait for U’
Released in 2022 as part of Future’s album ‘I Never Liked You’, the song became a chart-topping hit. While Future and Drake delivered their signature styles, Tems shone with her soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics. The song’s success propelled Tems to new heights, including her first Grammy win in 2023 for the ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ category.
Burna Boy feat. J. Cole – ‘Thanks’
The song, released in 2023 on Burna Boy’s album ‘I Told You’, finds him reflecting on his journey and achievements. J. Cole’s verse elevated the track. ‘Thanks’ is not a song of gratitude in the traditional sense; it’s more of a victory lap, celebrating Burna’s rise to the top.
Wizkid feat. Drake – ‘Come Closer’
‘Come Closer’ is a dancehall-influenced track with a catchy rhythm and smooth vocals from both Wizkid and Drake. Building on the phenomenal success of ‘One Dance’ in 2016, Wizkid teamed up with Drake once again for ‘Come Closer’ in 2017 and the song quickly became a massive hit.
Tiwa Savage feat. Omarion – ‘Get it Now’ remix
Tiwa Savage’s ‘Get it Now’ remix featuring Omarion — released in 2018 — marked a strategic move that propelled the song onto the global stage. While the original version of ‘Get it Now’ appeared on her ‘Sugarcane’ EP, the remix with Omarion injected a dose of R&B flavour and garnered international recognition.
Yemi Alade feat. Rick Ross – ‘Oh My Gosh’
The collaboration between Yemi Alade and Rick Ross came as a delightful surprise to many fans and music enthusiasts. ‘Oh My Gosh’ was released in 2019 as part of Alade’s album ‘Woman of Steel’. Rick Ross’ guest appearance adds a dynamic flair to the track, complementing Alade’s spirited vocals. The song exudes energy and confidence, serving as an anthem for female empowerment and financial independence. It was also well-received by fans.
Usher feat. Pheelz – ‘Ruin’
‘Ruin’, Usher’s latest single featuring Pheelz, Nigerian producer cum singer, is a hauntingly beautiful song that explores the aftermath of heartbreak. Released in February 2024 as part of Usher’s ‘Coming Home’ album, the song quickly garnered attention for its raw emotions and vulnerability.
Chris Brown feat. Davido and Lojay – ‘Sensational’
Chris Brown and Davido are no strangers to collaborative hits. Their 2019 scorcher ‘Blow My Mind’ exploded on the scene, and further pushed Afrobeats into the mainstream. ‘Sensational’, their latest collaboration, which also featured Lojay, the Afrobeats singer, has continued to captivate audiences since its debut in 2023.
Rema feat. Selena Gomez – ‘Calm Down’
‘Calm Down’ stands out for its catchy melody, infectious groove, and Rema and Selena’s smooth vocals.
Since unveiling the remix in 2022, it has continued to rake in massive numbers on streaming services, break records, and earn awards.
‘Calm Down’ went platinum in the UK on March 3, 2023, and by April 11, it became India’s second longest-charting no 1 African song.
It was also named the longest-charting African song on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023.
Ayra Starr feat Kelly Rowland – ‘Bloody Samaritan’ remix
Originally released in 2021, ‘Bloody Samaritan’ established Ayra Starr as a rising Afrobeats talent to look out for.
Following the success of the single, Kelly Rowland reached out to Ayra Starr for a remix.
The remix was released in the same year, while the music video was shot in 2022.
The collaboration allowed Rowland to tap into new audiences, particularly within Afrobeats.
The song remains an anthem among music lovers.
Seyi Shay feat. Teyana Taylor — ‘Gimme Love’
The song, ‘Gimme Love’, resonates with listeners on a deeply emotional level. Originally released in 2018, Seyi Shay combined with Runtown to deliver the hit track. The remix was released the following year and it gained traction with the addition of Teyana Taylor, the US R&B singer. Both Shay and Taylor are known for their unapologetic confidence and their fierce ownership of their sound. Together, they created an undeniable synergy on the track.
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