Simon & Phil List Their Favourite South African-Nigerian Hip Hop Collabos
by Phil Chard
Nigeria and South Africa are undisputedly the two biggest powerhouses in the African music scene and, by extension, the African hip hop scene. Both countries are home to some of the biggest names in African hip hop, and when the two nations collaborate, it often produces some amazing work. With that in mind here are some of our favourite South African - Nigerian collaborations:
Undeniably the biggest SA-Naija collabo team right now is The A-Team, consisting of Da L.E.S, AKA and Burna Boy. The team has 5 singles in varying combinations since their formation- Special Someone, All Eyes On Me, Baddest, Birthday and Paid. Da L.E.S had discussed his interest in doing a full A-Team project in a few interviews, but noted that scheduling conflicts were hindering its completion. .
The two biggest beneficiaries and the South African – Nigerian Hip Hop Trade Scheme are undoubtedly AKA and Ice Prince. The two have mad enough songs that fit the criteria to fill an album.
AKA has manged to secure a number of big SA-Naija collaborations, the Super Mega was one of the first South African rappers to see the massive potential and benefits with the cross continental collabs. From working with Ice Prince on the N Word remix to the massively catchy Same Shit with Wande Coal to his current single with Nigerian Dancehall star Patoranking titled Special Fi Mi, AKA has been playing his part in facilitating the cultural exchange. AKA’s ear for new sounds and “no fee for collaborations” policy has also resulted in the Super Mega working with a number of upcoming artists and providing them with a much needed boost to their burgeoning careers. This was very evident when AKA got on the remix for one of the biggest songs of 2015 – EmTee’s Roll Up alongside Wizkid.
Since 2015, the youthful duo of EmTee and Nasty C have presented the most formidable threat to the dominance held by the old guard of successful rappers like AKA and Khuli Chana. In 2015 Nasty C cemented his arrival on the scene with the surprise commercial hit Juice Back. On the remix, the Durban ‘ute manged to rope in Nigerian superstar Davido and Cassper Nyovest.
The Motswakoriginator, Khuli Chana has also began looking further afield in recent years , working with the likes of Victoria Kimani and Muthoni, his two most impressive collaborations with Nigerian artists have come via E-Kelly’s production. The first of which was his massively popular No Lie that saw him working Patoranking. The second was the remix to YCee’s Condo which also featured KidX and Pato once again
South African DJ Dimples and his brand are synonymous with partying and party anthems. The DJ gave his turn up anthems the West African treatment when he enlisted Ice Prince and Emmy Gee for Bae Coupe and Burna Boy on the high energy Clean In This B.
Emmy Gee’s Rands and Nairas could be the poster child for South African - Nigerian Hip Hop collaborations; on the original he enlisted the help of AB Crazy who delivered one of his most impressive pieces of writing to date. On the remix for the massively popular song he upped the ante and recruited Cassper Nyovest & Anatii from South Africa and Ice Prince and Phyno from Nigeria to lend their verses to the hit single.
In 2014 Ice Prince was undoubtedly the biggest rapper on the continent. At the time he boasted over 500,000 followers on twitter (unheard of at the time) and everyone and their mama was clamouring for a verse from the Jos rapper. One of the few artists that managed to secure his services was L-Tido who got Ice to lend a verse to his song Fresh And Clean which was the fourth single off his sophomore album All Of Me.
Around the same time Ice Prince parlayed his massive popularity to get verse Sarkodie, Wizkid, M.I, Khuli Chana (Mercy Johnson dropped half a line. Her feature was window dressing)
Tweezy has had one of the most eventful careers in recent years. After producing three of the biggest songs on AKA’s album Levels, the producer has also been part of a few song writing controversies, awards show ticketing snafus and then a successful rebrand and transition from producer to performing artist. All within the space of two years!
His first singles as a solo artist was the song Ambitions. After receiving a positive response from critics and the populace alike Tweezy linked up with Khuli Chana, Victoria Kimani and Nigeria’s Ice Prince on the massively impressive remix.
In a recent conversation, M.I Abaga revealed that he just recorded a song with AKA and was keen to work with Nasty C. Long before talk of these high power collaborations floated across our timelines, the Chocolate City CEO did a song with Hip Hop Pantsula titled Superhuman that appeared on his Illegal Music II project.
And finally, the last song from this collaborative list of some of the best South African and Nigerian collabs is a song that has been my ringtone for close to a year now. Possibly one the of the best dance tracks to ever be released. A song by a Nigerian Rap/Pop star and a South African outfit more famous for their contributions to House. Banger by Runtown and Uhuru shall be taught in schools one day
There are also a number of impressive collaborations that appeared on albums that were not released as singles such as the only Doc Shebeleza remix we acknowledge featuring Burna Boy and Anatii’s Proper featuring Tiwa Savage. There is also Dreamteam’s Talk That Shit featuring AKA and Ice Prince.
Burna Boy – Realest (Offical Video)
by Phil Chard
Despite the fact that we are still awaiting his new EP which was supposed to drop last week ( GIVE US THE MUSIC BURNA) Burna Boy is still enjoying a massively productive week as he reconnects with his UK fans and mandem alike. After releasing his new single and passing through Tim Westwood's for a performance Burna has just dropped a video for his single Realest taken off his On A Spaceship album. The mellow song accentuated by guitar licks and synths was produced by Simba Tagz.
@burnaboy @SimbaTagz
Watch Burna Boy’s Crib Session Performance For Tim Westwood
by Phil Chard
Burna Boy is truly maximizing on his return to the UK. After a series performances across the England a number of interviews and a Beats1 Radio Single premiere , Burna also stopped by Tim Westwood's Crib for a freestyle session.
Burna has and his entourage of professional snapchat mandem delivered a 14 minute performance where Burna recited verses from his joints like Acting Bad and is new song Pree Me over Drake’s Controlla instrumental.
@burnaboy
Listen Burna Boy’s Pree Me World Premiere on Beats 1
by Phil Chard
Burna Boy has had an incredibly busy week. The Nigerian artist finally returned to the UK after an almost 7 year absence from the country under unclear circumstances. No matter what the reasons for his absence were (Burna also disputes the widely circulated story that he left the UK after an altercation that resulted in a stabbing) his UK fans were more than ecstatic after hearing the news that he would be performing within their borders once again.
At d airport now. On my way to London. I touch down in Heathrow @ 6:00pm arik air. I need to see as many fans n my people as possible.
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) June 28, 2016
Burna also announced that he would be dropping a new 7 track EP titled Redemption that will be dropping on the 8th of July. One o fthe tracks off that EP is the reflective Pree Me that has Burna speaking on disloyal friends and those that are intent on his downfall.
Interesting Facts from Burnaboy press conference today: He has a New Ep Coming Out in July with 7 New songs.
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) July 4, 2016
One of the perks of being back in the UK was that Burna was able premiere the song on Julie Adenuga’s Beat1 radio show. Pree Burna’s new joint below.
Burna also discusses being back in the UK and his new EP in this interview.
Burnaboy – Duro Ni Be Featuring Phyno (Official Video)
by Phil Chard
Nigeria’s Burna Boy just dropped the video for the fourth single off his sophomore album On A Spaceship. The MattMax directed visuals for Duro Ni Be feature the Igbo lyricist Phyno .
Burna Boy Featuring Cynthia Morgan – Acting Bad
by Phil Chard
A week after the unofficial version of the song “leaked” online , Burna Boy has released his new dancehall inspired joint Acting Bad. The song features talented, yet mathematically challenged new artist Cynthia Morgan who is signed to Jude Okeye’s Northside Music.