International and African Hip-Hop Connects Globally

As of this writing, Drake has secured his very first UK No. 1 song “One Dance” featuring Nigerian superstar Wizkid.
It is incredible to think that as much global success that Drake has had, combined with the assertion that he is the No. 1 rapper alive, this will be his first No. 1 in the UK. It is no coincidence that this recent success and career landmark stems from collaboration with one of Africa’s biggest megastars, especially since African music is piping hot again.

This is not the first time a global hip-hop artist has collaborated with a Nigerian or African artist and achieved huge success. In 2012 ‘The Entertainer’ Nigerian megastar D’banj collaborated with Kanye West on the global dance-pop hit ‘Oliver Twist.’

In 2015, Nigerian superstar Davido, released ‘Fans MI’ featuring Meek Mill and earlier this year he graced the cover of the uber-hip New York-based music publication Fader Magazine.
Davido was also one of the main music headliners at this year’s SXSW, such is the global interest and rapidly growing mainstream popularity of African music—especially coming out of Nigeria, Africa’s biggest nation.

All of the above is happening on the backdrop of some major “firsts.” Sony Music has announced that they will be opening a brand new office in Lagos, Nigeria, that will act as their West African hub, due to the mammoth growth potential of the regional music and entertainment industry. In addition, events such as the groundbreaking Gidi Culture Festival (Gidi Fest) is bringing the Coachella-style “music festival genre” to Nigeria for the first time with the sole objective of bringing African music to the forefront and showcasing it to the world from one stage.

Despite the current success and global trend, not everyone sees the recent wave of collaborations as being groundbreaking and views the current movement cautiously. Gidi Fest founder Chin Okeke points out that decades ago, Nigerian artists such as King Sunny Ade and Fela had international record deals and did global collaborations and tours.

Finally no discussion of contemporary hip-hop music and collaborations can ignore the brilliance that is British Grime artist Skepta. Born in the UK to Nigerian parents and rapping with a distinct British flow, he has already collaborated with Wizkid, featuring on the official remix of Ojuelegba alongside Drake last year. This week it was announced that he is set to collaborate with Drake again on Drakes’ much anticipated fourth album Views From The 6 released this week.

Ref.: Black Enterprise