Afrobeat has evolved from its West African roots into a global sensation, thanks to its infectious rhythms and vibrant melodies. A major part of its worldwide success has come from collaborations with international artists, blending African sounds with global music styles. These partnerships have helped Afrobeat reach new audiences and become a dominant force in the music industry. Here are top 5 Afrobeat collaborations with international artists that have made a lasting impact:
Wizkid feat. Tems feat. Justin Bieber – Essence (Remix)
source: cool fm
Released in 2020 as part of Wizkid’s Made in Lagos album, “Essence” was more than just a song, but an expression of feeling between the duo. Tems’ angelic vocals paired perfectly with Wizkid’s smooth delivery, creating a sultry, romantic track that captured listeners worldwide. The song became a summer anthem and made history as the first Nigerian track to make the Billboard Hot 100. When Justin Bieber joined for the remix, the track skyrocketed to even greater global acclaim, earning it a Grammy nomination and establishing Afrobeat as a genre of global significance.
Davido feat. Chris Brown – Blow My Mind
Blow My Mind is an infectious Afrobeat track by Nigerian superstar Davido featuring American R&B Star Chris Brown. Released in 2019, the song became an instant hit, thanks to its seamless fusion of Afrobeat rhythms with smooth, international R&B vibes. The collaboration between these two music giants marked a significant moment in the global recognition of Afrobeat, blending African and Western sounds effortlessly. The song made global waves, and dominated charts across Africa, the U.S and the UK.
Beyoncé, Wizkid, Blue Ivy & SAINt JHN – Brown Skin Girl
source: gagapedia/deezer
Brown Skin Girl, from Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift album, is a heartfelt celebration of Black beauty. Featuring Wizkid, SAINt JHN, and even Blue Ivy Carter. The track is a celebration of the beauty, strength, and pride of Black women, with lyrics that encourage them to embrace their natural skin tones and reject society’s narrow standards of beauty. At the BET Awards 2020, Brown Skin Girl won the BET HER Award, while the music video won Best Music Video at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
Rema & Selena Gomez – Calm Down (Remix)
Source: Sound cloud
In 2022, Rema’s viral hit “Calm Down” received an international boost with a remix featuring Selena Gomez. The collaboration was a success, with the song topping charts and breaking streaming records worldwide. Selena’s soft vocals blended beautifully with Rema’s unique sound, creating a track that appealed to both Afrobeat fans and pop enthusiasts. The new version reached number one on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs, and is the first Afrobeat song to hit one billion views on Youtube.
Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran – Peru (Remix)
source: starr fm
When Fireboy DML’s Peru went viral, the remix featuring Ed Sheeran catapulted the song to international success. Ed Sheeran’s smooth verse complemented Fireboy’s Afrobeat melody, creating a perfect blend of African and Western pop styles. The track became a chart-topping hit, gained nomination at the 7th annual African Entertainment Awards USA for Song of the Year
Afrobeat’s collaborations with international artists have not only showcased the genre’s vibrant sound but have also solidified Afrobeat’s place on the global music map. Each collaboration demonstrates how African rhythms blend effortlessly with international styles, creating timeless hits that resonate across borders. These collaborations have bridged gaps, introduced Afrobeat to millions of new listeners, and proven that music, at its core, is a universal language.
