It's no secret that West African artists have been blowing up all over the American and European market for years now. A recent wave of new transatlantic collaborations has seen Nigerian and Ghanaian artists featured on tracks alongside some of hip-hop's biggest names — a trend that can be traced back to Akon's rise and Kanye West signing D'banj — which has recently sparked joint efforts from Meek Mill and Davido, Sarkodie and Ace Hood,Don Jazzy and Jay Electronica, Fetty Wap and Ayo, Rick Ross and P-Square, Wizkid getting remixed by Drake and Skepta, and more. On top of the numerous collaborations, we've come across some Instagram gems of artists like Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, and Jay Z showing their affinity for Nigerian pop, check them out below.
Swizz Beatz jumping on Wizkid's "Ojuelegba" wave.
One of My fav artist rite now @wizkidayo Good Vibes 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 #Culture #funtimes #BX
A video posted by therealswizzz (@therealswizzz) on
Alicia Keys also getting in on the action.
This song makes me happy🌟🌟🌟 #goodvibes @wizkidayo 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A video posted by Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) on
Then, water dancing to Skales' "Shake Body."
#AKwaterdance with you-know-who on the adlibs 😂😂😂😂😂👯👯🐠🐠🏊🏽💃🏽
A video posted by Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) on
And the couple dancing to L.A.X and Wizkid's "Caro."
Jay Electronica in Don Jazzy's studio while recording "Get Down."
A video posted by Mavin Records (@mavinrecordshq) on
A photo posted by Don Dorobucci (@donjazzy) on
Davido linking up with Future in Atlanta.
(North American) Drake repping the cover art to his Wizkid remix alongside Skepta.
And, of course, H.O.V.A. and Ice Prince.