In recent years, the Nigerian music industry has gained immense recognition and attention on a global scale, all thanks to successful collaborations between Nigerian artists and their counterparts from different parts of the world. As a result, Nigerian music has been able to penetrate some of the largest entertainment markets worldwide. It is undeniable that Afrobeats and African artists are in high demand today, leading to a cultural fusion and a beautiful melding of sounds from different continents.
These collaborations have produced hits that have topped charts all over the world, while others may not have achieved the same level of success but are still beloved by fans. The music industry in Nigeria has experienced tremendous growth and development, and the recent influx of international collaborations has contributed significantly to this. The success of these collaborations has led to increased influence, prosperity, and success for Nigerian artists.
The country is home to numerous talented musicians, some of whom are household names both locally and internationally. Nigerian artists are known for their exceptional vocal abilities, unique vibes, lyrical prowess, rap skills, and remarkable performances on stage. Nigerian artists have been making waves on the global scene for a while now, and the future looks bright with more collaborations and awards on the horizon.
In this article, we take a closer look at the top 10 Nigerian music collaborations. Although the concept of “best” is subjective, we are confident that the collaborations we’ve listed have a distinct blend of creativity that sets them apart from the rest. As the Nigerian music industry continues to grow and flourish, we can only expect more groundbreaking collaborations that will continue to push boundaries and inspire music lovers all over the world.
With the collection of the 10 best Nigerian music collaborations by Naijatastic, we have a definitive list to turn to. This list is the inside look at the crème de la crème of Nigerian music collaborations, and we’re confident that it’s what you’ve been looking for.
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Here is an inside look at the 10 best Nigerian music collaborations:
1. Rema ft Chris Brown
Rema, a prominent Nigerian musician, has collaborated with several international artists, including American singer and dancer Chris Brown, on his love song “Time N Affection.” Brown’s seamless fusion with the Afrobeat sound is simply amazing, and this is not the first time he has worked with Nigerian artists.
He was also featured in Davido’s hit song “Blow My Mind,” which peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Triller Global Chart within two weeks of its release. The song was even nominated for the Best Collaboration award at the Africa Entertainment Awards USA 2020, further solidifying its success.
2. Adekunle Gold ft Ty Dolla $ign
Adekunle Gold, a popular Nigerian musician, included a song called “One Woman” in his first album of 2022. The track, which fuses elements of Afrobeat, R&B, and soul, features American singer Ty Dolla $ign. In the chorus, Adekunle emphasizes that he is a “one woman typa man,” and Ty Dolla $ign’s contribution to the song is seamless.
Although Ty Dolla $ign is known for his exceptional delivery of hip-hop and rap music, his feature on Adekunle’s song showcases his versatility as an artist. The official music video was released shortly after the song’s debut and has since garnered over one million views on YouTube.
3. Master KG ft Burna Boy and Nomcebo
As part of our inside look at the 10 best Nigerian music collaborations, we cannot overlook the success of Master KG’s “Jerusalema,” featuring Nomcebo. The song quickly became a global hit and propelled Master KG to international fame. Its success was further bolstered by endorsements from the likes of Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo and pop icon Janet Jackson.
The overwhelming response to the song inspired Master KG to release a remix, which caught the attention of Nigerian musician Burna Boy. The two artists collaborated on a new version of the song titled “Jerusalema (Remix)” in the studio. However, despite the hype surrounding the remix, it did not surpass the popularity of the original song.
4. Davido ft Sunday Service Choir
It’s no secret that Nigerian musician Davido has played a significant role in putting Nigeria and Africa on the global map through his collaborations with foreign artists like Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill, and Chris Brown. However, one of his most exceptional works to date is undoubtedly “Stand Strong.” The song is more than what listeners could have hoped for, as it features a stunning blend of emotions, powerful lyrics, and the surreal sounds of the Sunday Service Choir.
Through this hit production, Davido opens up about the other part of his world, showcasing his versatility as an artist and the depth of his talent. It’s evident that “Stand Strong” is a unique and unforgettable track that showcases Davido’s ability to deliver exceptional music that resonates with audiences worldwide.
5. DJ Oskido ft Niniola
If you want to have an inside look at the 10 best Nigerian music collaborations, “Banky Banky” is a track you should definitely check out. The Kalawa Jazmee boss collaborated with renowned singer Niniola for this song, and the outcome is impressive. Niniola and Oskido have great musical chemistry, and it reflects in the song’s delivery. Niniola is a notable voice in the music industry, and Oskido is a veteran in South Africa with a history of success in both music and entrepreneurship. Together, they produced a lyrical masterpiece.
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6. Lojay ft Chris Brown
Nigeria has hit another big milestone with the collaboration of Nigerian artist Lojay’s hit song “Monalisa” featuring Chris Brown, which has gained millions of views and streams across various digital platforms. The recent live performance of the song at Crystal Palace in London left fans worldwide awestruck with their magical blend.
Chris Brown’s unmatched dance moves and the way the fans screamed along showed their anticipation for his verse. This collaboration with Lojay is just one of Chris Brown’s numerous collaborations with Nigerian musicians, making him one of the foreign artists with the highest number of collaborations with Nigerian artists to date.
7. Future ft Drake & Tems
The collaboration between Nigerian singer Tems and American singer Future on the hit song “Wait For You” earned her the Bet Award for Best International Act in 2022. Future featured the talented Nigerian artist on the track in April, and he couldn’t help but praise her incredible voice. The song quickly rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart in May of that year, marking Tems’ first-ever Billboard No. 1.
8. Omah Lay ft Justin Beiber
In a surprising announcement, Nigerian singer and songwriter Omah Lay teamed up with Justin Bieber for the new song “Attention,” catching many fans off guard. In an Instagram documentary, Omah Lay revealed that the collaboration was not something he had planned when he sent the song to Bieber, but the Canadian singer quickly came back with a verse that impressed him.
This isn’t Bieber’s first time collaborating with Nigerian artists, as he also featured on Wizkid’s “Essence” alongside recent Bet Award winner Tems. With their unexpected collaboration on “Attention,” Omah Lay and Justin Bieber have certainly caught the attention of music fans.
9. Skiibii ft Tory Lanez
The release of the Baddest Boy (US Remix) featuring Tory Lanez by talented Nigerian rapper Skiibii left many fans surprised. Although the afrobeat song had gained some prominence after its initial release, it really took off a year later when Nigerian superstar Davido was featured on it. Skiibii felt that the track needed one more voice, and Canadian rapper Tory Lanez was the perfect fit. This collaboration stands out as one of the best international collaborations in Nigeria.
10. Saweetie, French Montana, Wale, and Tiwa Savage
Saweetie’s hit song “My Type” deserves an honorable mention as one of the biggest songs of its time, with a chorus that’s sure to get stuck in your head. What most people may not be aware of is that following the success of the song, Saweetie collaborated with three artists to create an official remix which she later posted on her official Youtube page.
These artists were French Montana, Wale, and Tiwa Savage. Their contributions to the song, especially Wale’s verse in my opinion, took it to the next level, making it an even better hit. While the original song was already great, the addition of Wale and Tiwa was truly remarkable, turning up the heat on the track.
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Conclusion
The Nigerian music industry has become a global phenomenon, and the success of the collaborations between Nigerian artists and their international counterparts has been a significant driving force behind this. As we’ve seen, these collaborations have produced some of the biggest hits in recent years and have given rise to a new wave of Afrobeats sounds.
As we continue to witness the rise of Nigerian music, we look forward to more exciting collaborations that will push the boundaries of creativity and showcase the incredible talent that Nigeria has to offer. We’re excited about the announcements of more foreign-Nigerian collaborations hitting our airwaves soon, and we can’t wait to hear what’s next. With these amazing songs being released, we can only expect greater sounds to keep us entertained.
In this article, we’ve taken an inside look at the 10 best Nigerian music collaborations, and we hope you’ve enjoyed our selection. As always, the music industry is subjective, and there are countless other collaborations out there that are equally deserving of recognition. Nonetheless, we believe that the collaborations we’ve discussed have left an indelible mark on the music industry and will continue to inspire artists and music lovers all over the world for years to come.