South African rapper Nasty C has praised Nigerian superstar Wizkid, crediting him as one of the key figures who helped push African music into the global mainstream.
Speaking during a recent podcast interview, the “Zulu Man With Some Power” crooner reflected on how Afrobeats has grown from a regional sound into a worldwide commercial force, pointing to Wizkid’s 2016 global collaboration with Canadian rapper Drake as a turning point.
According to him, the smash hit “One Dance” played a major role in changing international perception of African music and opened doors for a new wave of artists seeking global recognition.
Nasty C explained that after the success of the record, African music began receiving a massive boost in visibility and profitability, making the genre more attractive even beyond its original audience.
“Wizkid and Drake collaboration on ‘One Dance’ opened the door for African artists. After the collaboration, African music received a significant boost. During some of my interviews in Nigeria and Ghana, the hosts told me that some rappers were even switching to Afrobeats because of how lucrative it has become after Wizkid’s collaboration with Drake,” he said.
“Wizkid and Drake collaboration opened the door for African artistes”
– Nasty C pic.twitter.com/hJiNrVr0fv
— BASITO (@itzbasito) May 23, 2026
The rapper further noted that the ripple effect of that era continues to shape today’s Afrobeats dominance, as more African artists continue to break into global charts, festivals, and award platforms.
Over the years, One Dance has remained widely referenced as one of the landmark records that helped bridge Afrobeats with mainstream pop culture, paving the way for the genre’s current global expansion.