8 Times a Feature Changed an Afrobeats Artist’s Life

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Afropop has a good history of established artists using their platforms to spotlight the next generation of talent. A well-placed feature on a highly anticipated or well-received song goes beyond charts. It serves as an introduction and turns underground rookies into household names almost overnight.

Here’s a look at eight of the best features in Afropop where one superstar’s assist changed a rising artist’s life forever.

1. “Fast Money Fast Cars” — M.I Abaga feat. Wizkid (2008)

Released on M.I Abaga’s debut album Talk About It, this song gave Wizkid his first major introduction to the Nigerian music industry. The then-unknown teenager delivered a catchy chorus that brought him widespread mainstream attention long before he signed his record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (EME).

2. “Caro” — Starboy feat. L.A.X and Wizkid (2013)

This jam is the official unveiling of L.A.X under Wizkid’s newly formed Starboy Entertainment imprint. “Caro” became one of the biggest anthems of the year, dominating club circuits and instantly elevating L.A.X to a popular name.

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3. “Motivation” — Erigga feat. Victor AD (2018)

In April 2018, this street-hop song became a relatable hit thanks to Victor AD’s resonant hook. The song became a huge regional and national hit, effectively introducing Victor AD’s voice to a mainstream audience just months before his own solo breakout single, “Wetin We Gain,” which catapulted him to stardom.

4. “Mamiwota” — Blaqbonez feat. Oxlade (2018)

On his acclaimed 2018 Bad Boy Blaq, Blaqbonez tapped the then-unknown vocalist Oxlade to deliver the chorus for “Mamiwota.” The chorus is an earworm that pushed Oxlade to mainstream exposure and made him one of the best chorus killers in Afropop.

5. “Essence” — Wizkid feat. Tems (2020)

Tems featured on Wizkid’s Made in Lagos album, transforming her from a rising Nigerian R&B singer into a global superstar. The record became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination, directly paving the way for her subsequent international features and solo Grammy win.

6. “Triumphant” — Olamide feat. Bella Shmurda (2020)

This track from Olamide’s Carpe Diem album proved pivotal for Bella Shmurda’s career trajectory. While he already had street traction with “Vision 2020” which features Olamide, his delivery on “Triumphant” showed his artistic depth to a wider mainstream audience and established him as a leading voice in the new generation of Nigerian street-pop.

7. “Infinity” — Olamide feat. Omah Lay (2020)

This song is also from Olamide’s 2020 Carpe Diem. Although Omah Lay was already gaining rapid momentum with his Get Layd EP, his hypnotic hook and verse on “Infinity” expanded his demographic reach.

8. “In The Garden” — Davido feat. Morravey (2023)

After discovering her vocal covers on social media, Davido signed the unknown Port Harcourt singer to his DMW 2.0 label and put her on his 2023 album Timeless. This feature granted Morravey visibility and successfully launched her professional career.