Afrobeats is widely accepted in the UK and artists from these two countries have collaborated to produce some of the best songs with UK artists such as J Hus, NSG, Yxng Bane and Kojo Funds, and Nigerian artistes such as Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido topping the Official UK Afrobeats chart. Here are 5 of our favourite collaborations between Nigerian artists and UK artists in recent years.
1. Temptation – Tiwa Savage ft. Sam Smith
In 2020, Tiwa Savage collaborated with London-born artist Sam Smith to release the song “Temptation”, a track from her fourth studio album, Celia. The song was written by Tiwa Savage, Sam Smith and Fireboy DML. This collaboration with Tiwa Savage was not the only collaboration Sam Smith had with a Nigerian artist: they also collaborated with Burna Boy on a song titled “My Oasis” the same year.
2. Longtime – Wizkid ft. Skepta
Wizkid and Skepta worked together in 2020 on the song “Longtime”, a song that came off Wizkid’s Made in Lagos album. The album also featured artists such as H.E.R, Ella Mai, Projexx, Damian Marley, Terri, Tay Iwar and Burna Boy. This is not the first time the duo have collaborated on a song together: In 2015, Wizkid collaborated with Drake and Skepta to release a remix of his hit single, “Ojuelegba”. Skepta also featured Wizkid in his single, Energy (Stay Far Away).
3. Real Life – Burna Boy ft. Stormzy
African Giant, Burna Boy teamed up with British rapper, Stormzy to deliver the single titled “Real Life” as part of his fifth studio album, Twice as Tall. This is not the first time the two talented artists have worked together. Stormzy had also featured Burna Boy alongside Ed Sheeran in his single “Own It” in 2019.
4. I Like – Kojo Funds ft. Wizkid
British songwriter and rapper, Kojo Funds collaborated with the Grammy award-winning artist, Wizkid in 2019 to release the song “I like”, which was also supported by a music video. Kojo Funds is signed to Atlantic Records, the same record label as Nigeria’s Burna Boy, and before this collaboration with Wizkid,he had teamed up with Maleek Berry in 2018 to work on the track “0%” from his debut mixtape Golden Boy.
5. Location – Dave ft. Burna Boy
The British rapper/singer Dave had his first collaboration with a Nigerian artist in 2019 when he worked with Burna Boy to release the song “Location” from his Psychodrama album. The song was an international success, and its accompanying music video has earned more than 100 million views on YouTube.
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