It has often been said repeatedly, that the world is a global village, that is, the world has become more connected than over. So things like boundaries, distance, borders, and the likes, are now reflected only on maps.
In terms of activities being carried out, the world has become borderless.
This saying is arguably reflected in the music industry more than any other sector. Collaborations between artistes have long gone past the age where an artiste had to be in the same city or country before you could make a verse. Now, artistes can make an album of 10+ songs without ever meeting each other facially, yet the audio quality would not be affected in the slightest.
However, with this borderless shape of music, collaborations between African artistes, especially Nigerian artistes, and artistes from other countries have been sparse.
In recent times, this issue has been addressed. Collaborations between Nigerian artistes and foreign artistes have become commonplace that it is now being overlooked in some quarters.
2024 is not different. The year has been replete with these collaborations, so which collaborations really stood out.
These are the top 10 international and Nigerian collaborations that you should have on your playlist:
1. Ojapiano: In 2023, KCee did a masterful combination of the traditional Igbo Ojà flute music with South African Amapiano beats to create the track, “Ojapiano.”
The song’s success, most especially on TikTok eventually led to collaborations with international artists, including One Republic and Diplo in 2024. As KCee himself recollected, “I saw a DM from One Republic and could not believe it. They wanted to do an English version to the sound.” “Ojapiano” became KCee’s first chart-topping hit on the Turntable Top 100, a significant milestone in his long music career.
Source: Spotify
2. Jeezu: Released very early this year on the 12th of January 2024, this 4-minute plus track had almost everyone spellbound. Famous Artiste, Jeymes Samuel did a remarkable work on this star-studded track featuring Doja Cat, Kodak Black and our very own Adekunle Gold.
The R&B track is off “The Book of Clarence” album, specifically track 3.
Source: Apple Music
3. Tony Montana: Earlier this year when British-American rapper announced his single with Famous Afro beats artiste, Portable, everyone was undoubtedly surprised. In nobody’s wildest dreams would they have imagined such a collab because both artistes are a world apart. To put the icing on the cake, Skepta also incorporated Yoruba lyrics in the song, not to talk of the fact that the production of the track was done by Jae5.
Source: Spotify
4. Jangrova: Skepta, real name Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr. probably started 2024 with the idea of having more collaborations with artistes from his parent’s country, Nigeria. After the track with Portable, he also had another track and this one had more surprises than the first.
Apart from the fact that he had Idris Elba on the track, the inclusion of OdumoduBlvck, also known as Big Kala, had mouths gaping. Judging by the attention and streams it garnered, the track definitely delivered.
Source: Spotify
5. Hello Habibi: First surprise from Olamide, the respected YBNL CEO, was when he initially announced his plans to release an album, second was when the album came out, and he wowed the music industry with his creativity, third was the features on the album; Sabri, Fireboy, Asake, and the likes.
Then when we thought the surprises were over, he featured American Rapper and Songwriter on the remix of “Hello Habibi.” Ordinarily, the song itself is very impressive due to its incorporation of Arabian elements, but the feature further made it dope.
Source: Deezer
6. Time of my Life: Just like Olamide, everyone was also surprised when popular Igbo Rapper, Phyno announced that he would be releasing his album, ‘Full Time Job,‘ this year. When he then teased a snippet of a song with UK rapper, Arrdee, all ears were already anticipating. And just as expected, the song delivered. Catchy lyrics from Phyno as expected, solid lyricism from Arrdee as well as touch of the Igbo language.
Source: Spotify
7. Active: You can’t list 5 Nigerian artistes that were outstanding in 2024 and not mention Asake, regardless of your favorite genre. Yes, he had this year by the throat.
With the release of his album, ‘Lungu Boy,’ Asake had the ears of the streets in his pocket and even global. Global because he had released ‘Active‘ featuring famous versatile American Producer, Travis Scott, along with a groovy video to match.
Source: Spotify
8. Free Fall: The only female on this list and rightly deserving. The name of Tems album, ‘Born in the Wild‘ says a lot about broad she has allowed her creativity to be. The album was not short of ingenuity, from the melodic compositions to the lyrics, but arguably, the highlight of the album was featuring American rap veteran and hip-hop lyricist, J Cole and their style complemented each other on the song.
Source: Deezer
9. If It’s Okay: The most recent on the list, and probably the most experimental. Nicki Minaj bridged countless genres with this track. She featured EDM Legend, David Guetta and Afro beats Maverick, Davido. EDM and Afro beats are two genres that are miles apart, not to talk of the fact that Nicki Minaj is a hip-hop artiste.
An audacious idea which only she could have thought of, and it paid off, judging by the song’s replay value.
Source: Spotify
10. Wave: Last, but definitely not the least, Wave by Asake ft Central Cee. Central Cee who also dropped an EP this year, is one of the most trending artistes in the UK right now as well as in the rap world. So enlisting him in his album certainly did Asake a lot of good. Moreover, it allowed Central Cee to showcase his versatility, as he was able to flow smoothly on a beat that was different from his usual style, as well as having catchy lyrics.
Source: Spotify
So there you have it guys! The top 10 foreign collaborations in Nigeria this year.
Which is your favorite or which do you think is missing?
Please let us know in the comments section.
