What has singer contributed to his international collaborations so far?

man appears to have recorded with every star that looks the way of Afrobeat in the American music industry. Rihanna, check, Drake, a bunch of artistes that are too numerous to mention, double check.

That’s the strength of the Starboy right now.

It is easy to get caught up in all the shows, the performances, the celebrity and the deserved hype that comes from the singer’s corner. But when it comes down to it, when the shades of the razzmatazz have cleared and we see through all the glitter and glamour. When the product of all that PR machinery have long expired, it’s the music that counts.

For Wizkid, he has four international collaborations this year. 2016 has been his year of international penetration, and four songs is not a bad count. His efforts are on Drake’s ‘One Dance’, his nonchalance on Tinie Tempah’s ‘Mamacita’, his creative spirit resides on ‘Shabbah’, and Justine Skye’s ‘U don’t know’ has his romance.

Drake – ‘One Dance’ ft Wizkid, Kyla

When Drake intended to mark time as an artiste at the height of his powers in world music, his team crafted an album filled with a lot of influences to define what we experience as global pop music. Central to this was ‘One Dance’, which went on to smash records as the longest running number 1 single in the UK, and lasted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 9 weeks.

Wizkid was all over the single, showing off his writing skills, which made Drake speak Yoruba (“Otih oti, there’s never much love when we go OT”). Then there’s the credit he also received from production, due to DJ Maphorisa and Sarz. But how about the mic? When Wizkid hit the mic, he spat out the following famous lines:

Got a pretty girl and she love me long time

Wine it, wine it, very long time

Oh yeah, she dey steady on time

Back up, back up, back up and wine it

Back up, back up and wine it, girl

Back up, back up, back up and wine it

Oh yeah, very long time

Back, up, back up and wine it, girl

A mixing enthusiasts was to use a radio-phone effect over it, while pairing it with some immersive percussion to complete the meal.

Critics initially attacked that effort as too muffled and insignificant, but over time, it has proven to be the most addictive part of the song.

Tinie Tempah – ‘Mamacita’ ft Wizkid

The UK rap champion already has big business with Wizkid. He owns disturbing London, a management outfit that handles Wizkid’s international branding and business. But they haven’t collaborated for a single.

That happened this year though, as Wizkid supplied the hook and a bridge for ‘Mamacita’, the lead single off his forthcoming third studio album titled “Youth”.

‘Mamacita’ video already has over 6 million views on Youtube, and is currently flying as one of the hottest dance songs in the UK.

Wizkid’s contribution on this are on the mic. He is simply doing what he does best; singing.

Justine Skye – ‘U don’t know’ ft Wizkid

This time, it’s no Drake, or Tinie Tempah, with their millions of fans. But a more humble story. Justine Skye, his new collaborator left Atlantic Records earlier this year, and pitched tent with Jay Z’s ROC Nation (where Tiwa Savage got an international deal this year).

The duo have campaigned and generated anticipation for the song, as photos flooded Instagram, and interviews were granted to plug her into the news and get the media talking. That has worked thus far. A significant portion of Nigerian music enthusiasts now know the lady with the purple hue in her hair. They might not support the music, or go on a downloading spree of her content, but sure, a couple have chased after her, and streamed her works, just to be in the know.

But this one will be listened. Collaborating with Wizkid is a strategic move to swell her fanbase and increase her reach. Wizkid is the biggest artiste from Africa, who is currently working at taking his music global. This year, his efforts on ‘One Dance’ have been well-documented and celebrated, with rumors of an international deal looming over the singer.

What’s in ‘U don’t know’? A great voice, with lyrics to get you moving. Justine Skye is a wonderful singer, with a great voice that shines through this pop-construct, and lends itself to your ears. There are synths to match, an opening violin progression that forms the defining sound of the single. It is interspersed with a bouncy dancehall beat to align it with the rising Afro-Caribbean wave that is becoming a signature of the underground dancehall movement of night clubs, and is catching on, thanks to stars such as Drake, Justin Bieber, and Alicia Keys.

Wizkid’s efforts are minimal, but strategic. The singer comes in for a third verse, where he adds a needed masculine and vocal balance to the product. His verse reads:

They both harmonize for the prechorus and hit a climax in the chorus.

This is special because of the brand victories that the song holds for all the collaborators. Wizkid scores more penetration, while Justine gets a pop single to give her a boost at ROC Nation.

Wizkid – ‘Shabba’ ft Chris Brown, Trey Songz, French Montana

Well, how long shall a man hustle for other people? Wizkid brought it all together for his debut US single. ‘Shabba’ features the trifecta of Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and rapper French Montana.

There’s just Wizkid on the Trap-influenced hook. The rest were in for a reason, and they showed it with verses and more.