Afrobeats, once a vibrant soundtrack confined largely to West African dancefloors, has grown into a global rhythm of influence. At the heart of this evolution lies a series of crossover features — collaborative sparks between Nigerian stars and international heavyweights that redefined how the world hears and experiences African music.
These moments weren’t just songs; they were seismic shifts, pushing Afrobeats from Lagos clubs and London basements to New York radio, Coachella stages, and Billboard charts. Let’s explore the pivotal collaborations that changed the shape of Afrobeats forever.
📌 Afrobeats Timeline of Global Crossovers (2012–2023)
- 2012: D’banj & Kanye West — “Oliver Twist” breaks UK Top 10.
- 2016: Wizkid & Drake — “One Dance” tops Billboard Hot 100.
- 2017: Mr Eazi & Major Lazer remix “Leg Over,” taking Afrobeats to EDM stages.
- 2019: Burna Boy, Stormzy & Ed Sheeran — “Own It” hits UK No. 1.
- 2019: Wizkid & Beyoncé — “Brown Skin Girl” wins a Grammy.
- 2021: CKay — “Love Nwantiti” becomes a viral global smash.
- 2022: Rema & Selena Gomez — “Calm Down” breaks records worldwide.
- 2022: Tems, Future & Drake — “Wait For U” wins a Grammy.
- 2019–2023: Burna Boy & Dave collaborations mark Afrobeats’ UK rap integration.
1. D’banj and Kanye West — “Oliver Twist” (2012)
Kanye’s co-sign turned D’banj into a global pioneer.
The global story begins here. Kanye West signing D’banj to his G.O.O.D. Music label sent a shockwave through Nigeria’s music industry. With “Oliver Twist,” D’banj broke into the UK Top 10, becoming one of the first Afrobeats tracks to chart internationally.
“Oliver Twist wasn’t just a single — it was a signal. Afrobeats could cross borders and thrive.”
2. Wizkid and Drake — “One Dance” (2016)
Wizkid’s feature on Drake’s “One Dance” became a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 for 10 consecutive weeks.
For many global fans, this was their first brush with Afrobeats, and Wizkid emerged as one of its brightest ambassadors.
“For many, ‘One Dance’ was their first brush with Afrobeats.”
3. Mr Eazi and Major Lazer — “Leg Over (Remix)” (2017)
Mr Eazi’s “Banku” sound — a laid-back fusion of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian rhythms — made waves globally. When Major Lazer remixed “Leg Over,” Afrobeats landed on EDM festival stages across Europe and America.
This remix proved Afrobeats could flex across genres while keeping its essence intact.
4. Burna Boy, Stormzy, and Ed Sheeran — “Own It” (2019)
Burna Boy’s inclusion alongside Stormzy and Ed Sheeran was a watershed moment. The single topped the UK Singles Chart, cementing Afrobeats’ dominance in its diaspora capital.
It was also symbolic: Burna wasn’t a novelty act. He was an equal partner in a mainstream UK hit.
5. Wizkid and Beyoncé — “Brown Skin Girl” (2019)
A Grammy-winning anthem of Black pride, “Brown Skin Girl” showcased Afrobeats as more than dance music — it was storytelling and cultural affirmation.
Wizkid’s contribution amplified Afrobeats on one of the biggest stages in global pop culture.
6. CKay and Global Remixes — “Love Nwantiti” (2021)
CKay’s sleeper hit “Love Nwantiti” spread like wildfire thanks to TikTok and international remixes. It charted in over 30 countries and racked up billions of streams.
This marked a new frontier: Afrobeats didn’t need gatekeepers. In the streaming era, one Nigerian ballad could dominate playlists worldwide.
7. Rema and Selena Gomez — “Calm Down (Remix)” (2022)
Rema’s “Calm Down” was already a hit, but the Selena Gomez remix turned it into a global juggernaut:
- Over 1.7 billion Spotify streams
- No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100
- First Afrobeats song to cross 1 billion YouTube views
- Multiple international awards
“Calm Down became the most commercially successful Afrobeats song in history.”
This wasn’t just a chart success — it was a watershed moment that crowned Afrobeats as a dominant global genre.
8. Tems, Future, and Drake — “Wait For U” (2022)
Tems’ haunting vocals elevated Future’s “Wait For U” to a Grammy win. Her voice, sampled from her own song “Higher,” proved that Afrobeats artistry could transcend genres while staying authentic.
For Tems, it was global validation. For Afrobeats, it was proof of its emotional universality.
9. Burna Boy and Dave — “Location” & Beyond (2019–2023)
The chemistry between Burna Boy and UK rapper Dave blurred Afrobeats with UK rap. Tracks like “Location” became anthems for an entire generation, while later performances highlighted Afrobeats’ deep integration with UK hip-hop and grime.
This wasn’t just crossover — it was a fusion of cultures, with Afrobeats at the center.
Beyond Features: The Ripple Effect
Each collaboration did more than rack up streams:
- They expanded Afrobeats’ sonic identity, blending it with EDM, hip-hop, R&B, and grime.
- They reshaped power dynamics — Nigerian artists no longer begged for co-signs; they shared the spotlight.
- They built a global fan base, turning Afrobeats festivals, tours, and playlists into mainstream fixtures.
Final Note
From D’banj’s playful Oliver Twist to Rema’s record-breaking Calm Down, Nigerian crossover features have rewritten the global music script. Afrobeats no longer asks for recognition; it sets the agenda.
“Afrobeats didn’t just cross over — it took over.”
Every new collaboration isn’t just a song — it’s a statement. A reminder that the heartbeat of Africa now pulses through the world’s speakers.