Wizkid helped put Afrobeats on the world map, says Nasty C

Nasty C says Wizkid helped push Afrobeats global through Drake’s One Dance, calling it a key moment for African music worldwide

Famous South African rapper Nasty C has praised Nigerian superstar Wizkid, crediting him for playing a major role in the global rise and acceptance of African music during a recent podcast interview.

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The rapper, known for his hit project Zulu Man With Some Power, said Wizkid’s 2016 collaboration with Canadian artist Drake on the chart-topping single One Dance significantly changed the global perception of African music.

According to Nasty C, the success of the song helped open international doors for African artists and contributed to the commercial rise of Afrobeats across global markets.

He explained that following the collaboration, the genre became more profitable and attractive, with some rappers reportedly shifting from hip-hop into Afrobeats due to its growing international demand.

Nasty C noted that during interviews in Nigeria and Ghana, he was told that the financial success of Afrobeats after the collaboration encouraged more artists to explore the genre.

The rapper’s comments align with the widely acknowledged global impact of One Dance, which features Wizkid and British singer Kyla alongside Drake.

The song achieved historic success, becoming the first track to reach one billion streams on Spotify and is credited with pushing Afrobeats further into mainstream global music culture.

Drake has also previously acknowledged Wizkid’s contribution to the record, with Wizkid listed as a co-writer, co-producer and featured performer on the award-winning single.

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Since then, Afrobeats has continued to expand globally, with Nigerian and African artists gaining increasing international recognition and commercial success.

David Okere