T
his year has been a great one for the Nigerian Afrobeat industry and an even greater one for the music industry worldwide with record-breaking album and single releases, successful world tours and of course powerful collaborations especially between the Nigerian Afrobeat/AfroPop industry and the global mainstream Hip Hop industry.
In an industry as competitive as the music industry where there is a lot of dissing and the tendency for every artist to want to dominate and be on top alone, the spirit of community is needed to ensure that the competition at least remains healthy, and few things build the spirit of community and cross promotion within any industry like collaborations.
The Nigerian music industry has grown quite a lot and is now without a doubt a force worth reckoning with globally. Afrobeat/AfroPop has successfully developed its own unique and distinct sound and flavour that many artists around the world are looking to tap into. To this regard, we’re looking back on five of the best collaborations between Nigerian singers and their foreign counterparts in 2018.
Here are the 5 best Afrobeat / AfroPop x Hip Hop collaborations of 2018, so far…
1. Tiwa Savage ft Omarion – Get It Now
Top of our list is the collaboration between the Mavin first lady, the super talented Tiwa Savage and American singer Omarion where they remixed Tiwa Savage’s Get It Now. While the original Get It Now was absolutely amazing and flxed Tiwa Savage’s musical excellence, the remix proved that sometimes you truly can make something perfect even better.
2. BERA ft Patoranking – Fire To The Sun
Two things this collaboration proves: the versatility of AfroPop as well as the international appeal of the unique AfroPop sound. This record features Nigerian AfroPop / Reggae musician Patoranking over French-Georgian RnB singer BERA’s phenomenal vocals and it is definitely one of my personal favourite collaborations of 2018.
3. Skepta ft Wizkid – Energy (Stay Far Way)
Third on the list is a collaboration between British-Nigerian artiste Skepta and one of Nigeria’s most loved artistes, Wizkid on this very energetic (pun absolutely intended) track titled Energy (Stay Far Away).
4. Ciara ft Tekno – Freek Me
One collabo we didn’t see coming is this one between American veteran singer Ciara, AfroPop musical sensation Tekno. The single titled Freek Me is a perfect sonic perfection where Tekno’s Afrobeat picked up where Ciara’s RnB sound stopped. An overall amazing song!
5. Major Lazer ft Burna Boy – All My Life
Burna Boy’s sound is one that is very postmodern and ahead of its time so it isn’t much of a surprise that he as widely sought after as he is. This collaboration between him and American electro-pop dance and music group Major Lazer wasn’t as much a surprise as it should have been. All My Life touches on a unique combination of musical genres.
For the latest in fashion, lifestyle and culture, follow us on Instagram @StyleRave_
