From Amapiano to rap, from Lagos to Atlanta, African women are making their presence felt in music industries globally. 2021 saw some major collabs, such as Tiwa Savage and Brandy’s well-received R&B duet “Somebody’s Son”, a track that has now gone on to break streaming records for the veteran Nigerian singer. A few months later, Amaarae tapped Kali Uchis for a remix of the Moliy-assisted TikTok anthem, “Sad Girlz Luv Money”. The remix has since debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, hit #1 on the global Spotify Viral 50 chart, reigniting the Ghanaian-American singer’s TikTok reign.
From Harlem to Cairo: On Jazz and Liberation
In the past, the primary motivating force for African acts collaborating with their Western peers was to break into foreign markets. While international success remains a necessary consideration for African artists, these two songs suggest a shift towards musical collaborations that are sonically organic, having achieved mainstream success without compromising the African act in the process. In this era of increased African cultural capital, we’re hoping to see cross-continental collaborations rise in quantity as they have in quality. Here are six on our wish list:
Ayra Starr and SZA
Somewhere between Ayra Starr’s “Gen Z Anthem” and SZA’s “20 Something” lies a track that could probably dead the ongoing GenZ/Millennial online rivalry. The two singers cemented their presence in the music scene in a similar fashion, serving up debut albums (19 & Dangerous and Ctrl) that have functioned as de facto life manuals for their respective generations. An Ayra Starr and SZA song would likely lean on both artists’ exceptional ability to sing to life the relatable experiences that make growing up such an ordeal. When it comes to visuals, fans should anticipate nothing less than a cultural reset from these two quintessentially “cool girls” with a knack for detail.
Sho Madjozi and Doja Cat
By now, most people know that Doja Cat has South African roots, but a Sho Madjozi feature would be the perfect homecoming for 2020’s breakout star. Like Doja, Sho Madjozi regularly experiments with a wide array of genres, with tracks ranging from gqom to rap. Doja gave a glimpse of what this pairing could sound like with “Woman”, the first song on her 2021 album, Planet Her. It’s an opener that could easily fit into rotation on Johannesburg radio. Doja has plenty of viral moments under her belt, but Sho Madjozi is no stranger to crafting a catchy tune herself. Her 2019 hit “John Cena” ended up making its way to daytime television when the real John Cena decided to take on the #JohnCenaChallenge on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Other than colourful, fun and genre-bending, it would be foolish to place any labels on this duo.
Xenia Manasseh and Summer Walker
Languishing in your feelings over an imaginary ex, soaking in a tub after a stressful week, and belting out off-key notes from the passenger side of your best friend’s ride – these are some of life’s moments that one can expect a Xenia Manasseh and Summer Walker duet to score. From vocals that sound equally haunting and sensual to flipping diary entries into verses, few singers have mastered the art of the sombre R&B track like these songbirds. Earlier this month, Summer Walker dropped her sophomore album, Still Over It, a storytelling masterpiece piece spun out of her own real-life drama. If there’s any singer whose pen can match Summer Walker’s commitment to brutal vulnerability, it’s Xenia Manasseh, with writing credits that include Teyana Taylor and VanJess. Xenia’s move from Nairobi to Atlanta puts the singers in closer proximity and one step nearer to blessing sad girl playlists across the world.
Tems and Rihanna
Forget what Grammy nominations say – “Essence” is a worthy contender for song of the year, and Tems has everything to do with that. It’s also safe to say that Rihanna agrees. In a viral clip that surfaced after both artists met, Rihanna can be heard admiring an equally giddy Tems, eventually telling her, “Enough of that humble shit, you better own that.” For months, fans inaccurately speculated that Rihanna’s return to music might take place on the official “Essence” remix. However, a Tems feature on the Rihanna comeback album would make the wait to hear whatever magic these two conjure up worth it. Whether on a track or in a room, Tems and Rihanna both possess a distinct tone and the kind of star quality that effortlessly announces their presence upon entry. With anticipation around the not-so-rookie of the year and the musically-elusive certified legend at a high, the time is ripe for an alliance between #RebelGang and #RihannaNavy.
Gyakie and Koffee
Great beaches and vibes are just a few of the things Ghana and Jamaica have in common. Of the West African countries, reggae music seems to have settled on Ghana as its regional capital. Koffee, winner of the 2019 Grammy for Best Reggae Album, has expressed interest in collaborating with the new crop of artists emerging from the continent. Gyakie, on the other hand, is currently one of the hottest artists out of Ghana and happens to count reggae as a core inspiration, even hinting at potentially releasing a full reggae album. Both Gyakie and Koffee manage to create the kind of anthems that nieces party to in the club and aunties request at family gatherings. A single from these two hometown heroines would undoubtedly take over the summer.
SGaWD and Flo Milli
No other genre has felt the impact of women dominating the music scene like hip hop. Cue in SGaWD and Flo Milli, two young spitters taking over cities miles apart but both revered for their confidence, quotable lyrics and versatile flows. On her breakout verse, SGaWD famously rapped, “I ain’t Jesus, so it’s definitely death to foes”, while potential collaborator Flo Milli rose to TikTok stardom on a track titled “Beef”. Needless to say, these ladies would likely emerge from the studio with a petty classic on their hands. There’s never a reason to turn down witty bars about stunting on doubters and securing the bag.