The part a featured artist plays on a single can make or break a song.
Sometimes feature artists carry the song to heights even the leading artists could not. 2022 has seen a bevvy of new artists and a revival of OGees. Here are our favourite feature verses so far in 2022
Burna Boy on Asake’s Sungba
Burna Boy has had a heck of a year but that didn’t stop him from doing a madness on Newcomer Asake’s Sungba remix. The single shot to popularity a few weeks after release but Burna Boy’s verse on the remix took the track and in tandem Asake to popularity.
Black Sherif on Darkoo’s Always
Ghana’s current starboy Black Sherif has won the hearts of many with his charismatic rhymes and highlife melodies on drill beats. His heartfelt lyrics and delivery were definitely what was needed on this Drill track by UK musician Darkoo. Blacko did what needed to be done and owned this track, propelling it to the masses and earning Darkoo a Billboard charting track.
Mayorkun on Camidoh’s Sugarcane remix
Mayorkun shines on Afropop records so there was no doubt his verse on Camidoh’s Sugarcane remix will be a bright one. The track was already doing numbers in Ghana and this remix was a push into Nigeria and other markets. What was not anticipated was it becoming a viral; sensation on TikTok with over 45.6M views on the track and growing popularity, fueled solely by Mayorkun’s verse.
Ayra Starr on Magixx’ Love don’t cost a Dime Re-up
Ayra Starr has become the star this year in Afropop. Her second album 19 and Dangerous continues to rack plays while she consistently eats up every track she’s featured on. The fashion killa jumped on the re-up of label mate Magixx’s Love don’t cost a dime and left no crumbs. In what one would call a reimagination of Fat Joe and Jennifer Lopez’s 2000s hit single Love Don’t Cost a Thing, Ayra Starr made it known that she may be a singer, but she’s got mad bars.
Crayon on Mavin’s Overdose
Nigerian label Mavin Music use extraordinary ways of highlighting its artists. One of which is in all-star tracks featuring their roster. In the event of their 10-year anniversary, they released Overdose which featured their current crop of future stars. And though favourites like Ayra Starr and Ladipoe had memorable verses, it is Crayon’s verse that stood out. The wallflower took the spotlight on this track and stepped into a frame many had not anticipated. Crayon is definitely a talent Mavins will be serving up soon.
Enny on Boj’s Culture
Boj’s project Gbagada Express daresay is one of the best releases this year and this single with Nigerian-born UK artist Enny is a stand-out. Not only is it a strong call out to second-generation Africans in the diaspora, but the rhythmic ebb and flows of Enny’s verse also create a fantastic earworm for this track.
Melissa and Moliy on Boj’s In a Loop
Sisters by blood and sisters in songwriting, Moliy and Melissa’s verse on Boj’s In a Loop make this track one of the favourites on Boj’s Gbagada Express. Their mastery over lyricism and melodies makes this track such a sweet one you almost forget it’s about a tumultuous love affair.
Davido on Young Jon’s Dada Remix
Nigerian Producer Young Jon’s comeback this year was one that wasn’t anticipated but was still a very welcome surprise. The hit single Dada off his debut EP is a toffee-like Afropop love song that will want you to fall in love. However, with Davido’s verse in the mix, you are guaranteed to propose to the next girl you meet. The king of loving words and afrobeats punchlines Davido did what needed to be done on this track.
Focalistic on Ckay’s WataWI
Still riding the high of his global success and in anticipation of his upcoming album, CKay connected with Davido, Focalistic and Abidoza on his single WATAWI. Focalistic wrapped the amapiano-infused Afropop track with a pretty bow with his rhymes. The Pretori Maradona was definitely the spice that carried this sauce. Kudos to the A&R for this track cos this was some premium collaboration.
Discover more afrobeats jams on our playlist below