Afrobeats collaborations are becoming increasingly popular around the world. This is partly due to Nigerian artists working with musicians from other countries.
These collaborations allow them to reach a wider audience and mix Afrobeats with other genres of music. In this article, we will explore six surprising international Afrobeats collaborations that fans may not have expected.
1. KCEE feat. OneRepublic – Ojapiano remix
In 2023, Nigerian musician KCEE returned to the mainstream in a big way with his hit song “Ojapiano.” This song cleverly blended the traditional Igbo Oja flute with the popular Amapiano sound, which features log drums.
To take “Ojapiano” to a whole new level, KCEE collaborated with the famous band OneRepublic for a remix. This surprising partnership brought together OneRepublic’s country/pop style with the energy of Afrobeats.
2. Skepta feat. Portable – Tony Montona
Portable, a popular Nigerian singer known for his energetic street pop music and colourful personality, has become a fixture in the country’s media. He recently surprised fans with a collaboration alongside British-Nigerian rap star Skepta.
The song, a unique mix of hip-hop and Afrobeats, showcased Portable’s impressive skills, leaving listeners astonished by his performance that even outshone Skepta on the track.
3. Clean Bandit feat. Davido & Love Ssega – Beautiful
In an unexpected turn of events, electronic pop group Clean Bandit joined forces with Nigerian music powerhouse Davido on the song “Beautiful.”
This collaboration surprised fans, but it proved to be a successful one. The Grammy-nominated Davido impressed listeners with his versatility on the track, showcasing the adaptability of Afrobeats to blend with other genres.
4. Fireboy feat. Ed Sheeran – Peru remix
Only a few fans would have guessed that Nigerian singer Fireboy would team up with Ed Sheeran, a Grammy-winning British singer-songwriter, for a remix of his hit song “Peru.”
The collaboration came as a complete surprise, but the outcome was phenomenal. Ed Sheeran proved his incredible talent for adapting to different styles. He delivered a verse that not only enhanced the song but also propelled it to international fame and commercial success.
5. Burna Boy feat. Chris Martin – Monsters You Made
In his quest to create a critically acclaimed album in 2020, Nigerian superstar Burna Boy strategically enlisted the talents of various artists, including Chris Martin, the frontman of Coldplay.
Their collaboration resulted in a powerful song that addressed the longstanding social and economic problems plaguing Nigeria’s South-South region.
This track added significant depth to Burna Boy’s fifth studio album, “Twice As Tall,” which ultimately earned him his first Grammy Award, a well-deserved recognition for his artistic vision.
6. Adekunle Gold feat. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers – Falling Up
People praised Adekunle Gold’s fifth album, “Tequila Ever After.” To make it even more exciting, he collaborated with some amazing artists, including the famous American music stars Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, who have won multiple Grammy Awards.
