17 Best African Artists to Collaborate With

Who are the best African artists to collaborate with? African artists like Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid have made a name for themselves in the global music scene. Their groundbreaking tracks have crossed the borders of the African continent and captured the hearts of music fans worldwide.

Besides releasing one banger after another, they’ve also worked with various artists from Europe and America who are considered the biggest names in the music world at the moment. If you’re already an established name or an upcoming artist looking to get the attention of music fans from Africa and beyond, here are the best African artists to collaborate with.

Best African Artists to Collaborate With

1. Burna Boy

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, better known by music fans as Burna Boy, is one of the best African artists to collaborate with. The Nigerian has been on the music scene for several years, releasing big tracks such as ‘Ye’, ‘Anybody’, ‘On The Low’, ‘Last Last’ and ‘For My Hand’. Burna Boy has also worked with foreign artists such as Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Beyonce, IDK and Stormzy, among others.

2. Davido 

Davido is regarded as one of the top Afrobeat artists of the 21st century. Considering the fact that he is well known all over the world, Davido is one of those artists every upcoming and even some established musicians would be dreaming of collaborating with. The 31-year-old is also one of the richest musicians from Africa having been in the game for a long time hence making a lot of money.

3. Yemi Alade 

The first female on our list of best African artists to collaborate with is Yemi Alade. The Nigerian has been releasing one banger after another since hitting the airwaves with the single ‘Johnny’ in 2013. Yemi sings not only in English but also in French, Swahili, Portuguese and local Nigerian languages such as Igbo, Pidgin and Yoruba. Her music is a mixture of Afropop, pop, highlife, R&B and Dancehall.

4. Sauti Sol

Sauti Sol is undoubtedly the best music band in Eastern Africa. Initially, a cappella group, Sauti Sol soon began releasing big tunes that made waves in Kenya. The group of four then crossed the borders and have since worked with artists such as Ali Kiba, Yemi Alade, Patoranking and Burna Boy. Some of their hit songs include ‘Kuliko Jana’, ‘Midnight Train’, ‘Suzanna’, ‘Short N Sweet’, ‘Unconditionally Bae’, ‘Melanin’ and ‘Africa’.

5. Diamond Platnumz 

Born Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, Diamond Platnumz is one of the biggest artists in East and Central Africa. If you’re looking to get the attention of music lovers from those two parts of the continent then Diamond is the man to collaborate with. Despite singing most of the time in Swahili, he also has influence in West and Southern Africa. He has worked with legendary musicians such as Koffi Olomide, Fally Ipupa, Rick Ross and P-Square. Some of his hit songs include ‘Waah’, ‘Enjoy’, ‘Zuwena’ and ‘Nitarejea.

6. Sho Madjozi

You can’t talk about South African artists and not mention Sho Madjozi. Currently 32 years old, Madjozi has already made a name for herself and is respected and adored by music fans at the same time. With big hits released over the years, she is one of the best African artists to collaborate with.

7. Master KG

Master KG is another South African artist worth working with. The 28-year-old is best known for the hit song ‘Jerusalema’ but has also released several amazing tracks such as ‘Waya Waya’, ‘Kude’, ‘Skeleton Move’ and ‘Keneilwe’.

8. Innoss B

Innocent Didace Balume, better known as Innoss B, is a singer, dancer, songwriter and philanthropist. He is one of the most successful Congolese and African artists, something which can be proven by the fact that he has worked with other big names in the music industry such as Akon, Koffi Olomide and Diamond Platnumz.

9. Koffi Olomide

Next of the best African artists to collaborate with is Koffi Olomide. Despite being from the older generation, he is still respected and listened to by young music fans, which has seen him work with artists ruling the music scene in the modern world.

10. Fally Ipupa 

If you love listening to Congolese songs then you must have heard hits such as ‘Maria PM’, ‘Mayday’, ‘Eloko Oyo’ and ‘Service’. These are some of Fally’s most-known songs and have garnered millions of views on YouTube and Spotify. The 46-year-old is well respected in Africa and beyond and has collaborated with famous artists such as Diamond Platnumz and Koffi Olomide.

11. Bruce Melodie

Rwandan artist Bruce Melodie started his music journey around 2010 and released his first song Tubivemo in 2013. The next 11 years after the debut of this song are nothing but a graceful story. He rose to become a top Rwandan artist who recently collaborated with US-based Jamaican artist Shaggy in When She’s Around.

12. Meddy

Meddy is Rwanda’s RnB and Afro-soul king. His mellow voice sits well with collabos such as Dusuma which he did with Kenyan artist Otile Brown. He brings a real American R&B influence in his music.

13.  Angelique Kidjo

Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo is among Africa’s most celebrated artists in the 21^st century. She is a five-time Grammy Awards winner pointing back to her musical influence on the global stage. Kidjo makes it to our list of the best African artists to collaborate with due to the ease with which she blends different genres. Her voice is unmistakable and beautiful.

14. Tyla

South African artist, Tyla is uniquely gifted and is currently running the show at home and abroad. At 22, the Water hitmaker is an international music and fashion sensation, all thanks to her music. She has 192 million views on YouTube for her breakout hit – Water – which she later remixed and featured American artist Travis Scoot.

15. Rema

Nigerian Afrorave artist has many hit songs at only 23 but it is Calm Down that crowns his fame. The song’s remix starring American R&B star Selena Gomez has 896 million streams on YouTube. It’s the most-viewed Naija song on YouTube in history.

16. Tems

The Free Mind singer has an infectious charisma that swept Naija’s music industry in 2020 when Tems starred in Essence by Wizkid. This song off Wizkid’s fourth studio album Made in Lagos has the most nominations (26) and 20 wins.

It set the stage for her stardom in the global music industry and won a Grammy Award in 2023 under the Best Melodic Rap Performance category. Her Wait For U feature by American rapper Future who also starred Drake in the song made her the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy award.

17. Tiwa Savage

Tiwa Savage is the Nigerian queen of collaboration. Every song she features in is a hit, home and away. Who’s You Guy done by Spyro and featuring Tiwa is one such song followed by No Wahala by 1da Banton also featuring Kizz Daniel. Her musical wit spreads across R&B, amapiano and Afrobeats making her an eye candy for collabos.

Who Is the Most Recognized Artist in Africa?

Hailing from Nigeria, Burna Boy has become one of the most iconic figures in the Afro-fusion genre of music. Having done collaborations with top artists from outside Africa in recent years, he is arguably the most recognized artist on the continent.

Who Is the Finest Musician in Africa in 2024?

1. Burna Boy
2. Die Antwoord
3. Wizkid
4. Rema
5. Diamond Platnumz
6. Master KG
7. Tekno Miles
8. P-Square

Who Is the Most Followed African Artist on Instagram?

Davido currently leads the way as the most-followed artist on Instagram with more than 29 million followers as of the time of writing. He has defeated the likes of Wizkid, who currently has 19 million followers, and Burna Boy whose active followers are 17 million.

Who Is the Bigger Artist in Africa?

The self-acclaimed African giant, Burna Boy, is arguably the most successful and influential African artists of the modern era. His influence has grown over the years and he is currently known in many countries outside Africa.