Despite the usual skirmishes between Nigerians and South Africans on social media, the two music industries from both countries often collide and when it does, magic is created.
Nigerians and South Africans have a long history of collaborating. Although the music from both these countries has different sounds and compositions, the artists have always found a way to make it work.
This list, which cuts across genres – house, hip-hop, R&B, kwaito – and movements is an attempt at representing the beautiful collaborative energy between music practitioners from South Africa and Nigeria.
Even with the history of xenophobia that has led to fragile relations between both countries, the collaborations often made helps repair and remind us while Music is a therapeutic tool.
Here are Top 10 classic Nigerian X South African Collaboration;
Davido ft Uhuru and DJ Buckz – The Sound
“The Sound” is a hit track from Davido second studio album “The Baddest” featuring South African artists, Uhuru and DJ Buckz. It Was Released in 2015.
The single was Co-produced by Uhuru & Shizzi.
Mafikizolo ft May D- Happiness
South African veterans and Kwaito “Khona” crooners, Mafikizolo features Nigerian SInger, May D titled “Happiness”. The tune is their signature Kwaito tune laced with pop. The song was released in 2013.
Emtee ft Wizkid ft AKA – Roll Up (Re-up)
“Roll Up” is a single off South African rapper, Emtee’s debut studio album, Avery. On November 28, 2015, a remix for “Roll Up” titled “Roll Up (Re-Up)” was released. It featured vocal appearances from Nigerian pop star, Wizkid, and South African rapper, AKA.
Davido ft Nasty C – Coolest Kid in Africa
Davido linked up with flourishing South African rapper Nasty C on “Coolest Kid In Africa,” a trap-inflected track which was part of his “Son Of Mercy” EP. The song was released in 2016.
Davido ft Mafikizolo- Tchelete
Produced by Shizzi and Oskido, Tchelete is a collaboration by Davido and South African music duo, Mafikizolo.
The production, delivered by the trio of Maphorisa, Oskido, and Shizzi, provide the perfect sonic world for the melodic variation of the artistes, as the song quickly becomes an anthem – surely, it is delivered in the languages of Yoruba, English, Nigerian Pidgin, Isizulu, and isixhosa.
Runtown X Nasty C- Said
Nigerian and South African Superstars, Runtown and Nasty C collaborate to deliver a banger called “Said”. The inspiring song was made for the very first Coke Studio Africa sessions in 2017.
Produced by Shadow Chris from Ivory Coast, “Said” is a fusion of Afro, dance, and island tunes. The song speaks about their journey from grass to grace in the music industry. They speak about their struggles, successes, and lowest moments before getting it to the top.
DJ Buckz x Wizkid x DJ Maphorisa- Soweto Baby
“Soweto Baby” is the handiwork of producers DJ Maphorisa and DJ Buckz whose use of twinkling electric guitar is as seductive in a house beat, as it is in highlife.
When added to the song making genius of Wizkid, the result is an absolute delight. Maphorisa does a decent job of retracing Wizkid’s melodies and cadence while Buckz brings a fine melodic form of his own.
Uhuru x Runtown- Banger
Runtown and Maphorisa partner on the song “Banger”. Clashing cymbals bring a repeated reprieve from a throbbing percussion over which Runtown and Maphorisa interlock a pair of counter melodies to fine results.
Banger was released in 2015.
“Rands & Nairas” – Emmy Gee x Ice Prince x Phyno x AB Crazy x Anatii x Cassper Nyovest x DJ Dimplez
A bar fest like any other, “Rands and Nairas” is also representational of the best of Nigerian and South African rapping talents buoyed by a near-perfect hook by AB Crazy.
“Rands and Nairas (Remix)” is a song by Nigerian recording artist Emmy Gee, featuring Ice Prince, Phyno, AB Crazy, Anatii, Cassper Nyovest, and DJ Dimplez. It is a follow-up to his first single “Rands and Nairas”.
The song was produced by Christian “Vybe Beatz” Arceo with co-production from Shizzi. It was released in 2014.
https://mp3bullet.ng/top-11-nigerian-artists-who-have-their-own-record-label/
M.I Abaga x Cassper Nyovest- Soup
“Soup” features two of Africa’s foremost MCs in M.I Abaga and Nyovest who have structured roundly impressive verses—the first half of each in English and the second in Hausa (M.I) and Xhosa (Nyovest), reflecting their combined heritages in near-equal measure.
The song was released in 2018.
https://mp3bullet.ng/6-nigerian-gospel-artists-making-waves-with-their-music/