Speaking on a podcast interview, the Zulu Man With Some Power artist argued that Wizkid’s 2016 collaboration with Canadian superstar Drake on the hit track “One Dance” marked a major shift in how African music was received internationally.
According to him, the success of the record didn’t just boost visibility—it changed the economics of the genre and influenced career decisions across the continent.
“Wizkid and Drake collaboration on ‘One Dance’ opened the door for African artists. After the collaboration, African music received a significant boost. During some of my interviews in Nigeria and Ghana, the hosts told me that some rappers were even switching to Afrobeats because of how lucrative it has become after Wizkid’s collaboration with Drake,” he said.
The 2016 global hit, which also featured British singer Kyla, is widely regarded as one of the records that pushed Afrobeats into mainstream global consciousness. Blending Afrobeats rhythms with dancehall and pop influences, “One Dance” went on to become a cultural milestone in streaming history.
Reports note that the song holds a Guinness World Record as the first track to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, further cementing its global impact.
Drake himself has previously acknowledged Wizkid’s contribution to the project, reinforcing the Nigerian star’s influence on the song’s identity and success. Wizkid is also credited as co-songwriter, co-producer, and performer on the record.
The collaboration is often cited within the music industry as a defining moment that helped open international doors for Afrobeats artists, accelerating the genre’s transition from regional sound to global force.