Wizkid, Davido, and others continue to take Afrobeat higher through their various international deals.
Afrobeats is music across its shores and spreading wide fast internationally. Wizkid Ayo Balogun and David Adeleke have catapulted Nigerian music to new heights. These top musicians have paved the way for other young superstars such that these youngins top Billboard charts and other major streaming channels.
You might also like
8 Afrobeat Celebrities Who Have Collaborated with Foreign Music Brands
Afrobeat artists collaborate with not just foreign artists but international music brands. It is the new normal. These foreign-based teams create a different framework and distribution process for artists in mention.
Here are eight Afrobeat artists who have entered a contract with one or multiple international deals in the past:
Asa — Naïve/Sony
Bukola Elemide, also known as Asa, is one of Nigeria’s most prominent artists whose work has crossed borders and provinces. Asa released her second debut album Beautiful Imperfection with Nicholas Mullard, in 2010. The famous Nigerian pianist and singer emerged with an international presence and is signed to French Naïve Records. Asa is also an affiliate of Sony. The Nigerian singer released her recent album in February of 2022. Her deal is an extraordinary one aimed at pushing her music further to ears unheard.
Olamide — Empire
Olamide is a popular Afrobeat singer, Nigerian lyricist, and CEO of YBNL. His record label YBNL gained full potential in 2012, with artists like AG Baby, Lil Kesh, Viktoh, and currently Asake and Fireboy DML. Olamide recently partnered with foreign-based Label and Distribution Company Empire. The YBNL owner hopes to see his signees enjoy massive international music distribution.
Patoranking — VP Records
Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, popularly known as Patoranking, is a Nigerian artist with music widely distributed across Africa. The Ebonyi-state-born singer started his music journey with Igberaga Records in 2010. In 2014, Patoranking entered a contract with Fostin Musik. And in 2015, he signed with a Caribbean-owned record label in New York City, VP Records. His successful deal has changed the paradigm of his musical presence.
Pheelz — Warner Records
Pheelz, known initially as Phillip Kayode Moses, is a famous Nigerian producer and songwriter. He produced many major hits from several top artists. Pheelz recently signed a partnership agreement with US-based record label Warner Group.
Tiwa Savage — Motown Records
Tiwa Savage is another Afrobeat musician who has threaded in the footsteps of other top stars by partnering with a foreign music brand. In 2019, she was a signee with Mavins for seven years before venturing into Motown Records, an auxiliary of Universal Music.
Burna Boy — Atlantic/Warner/Universal Records
Burna Boy joined Aristokrat Records in 2014. After gaining limelight with significant hits, the afrobeat crooner was welcomed at Bad Habits/Atlantic Records, after which he partnered with Warner Music in 2017. In 2018, Burna partnered with Universal Record on what looked like a publishing contract.
Wizkid — RCA/Sony Music
After many years of successful sailing with EME Records, Ibrahim Ayodeji Balogun partnered with RCA, a subgroup of Sony, on a multi-album deal. The partnership took effect shortly after leaving his former label boss and launching Starboy Ent. Wizkid’s third debut album ‘SFTOS’ had massive waves with Sony.
Davido — RCA Sony Music
Davido is a young talented, afrobeat superstar and one of the first to partner with an international music brand. He had a relationship with RCA in 2016. The young Adeleke created Davido Music Worldwide DMW, with artists like Mayorkun, Dremo, Peruzzi, and others.
More Afrobeat musicians are making waves internationally, with many yet to establish their record label—or even sign a foreign deal. While some have been profitable for most Afrobeat artists, others have earned about venturing into a foreign record deal without due research. 2018 Burna Boy warned about entering an international agreement without adequate knowledge.
