Nigerian singer, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo better known D’banj has shared how American rapper and music executive, Kanye West contributed to the global rise of Afrobeats in the Western world.
According to the Koko Master, Kanye West was the first international artist to embrace Afrobeats fully.
In a recent episode of the ‘Listen’ podcast, D’banj revealed that West’s passion for African music led him to sign him and Don Jazzy to his record label, Good Music.
“The first time I met Kanye West in Dubai, he told me that he had enquired about Afrobeats from students in the university. So, he actually wanted to pick up the sound.
“He was interested in the sound. That was what gave us [Don Jazzy and me] the deal and the opportunity to be signed to his record label [Good Music]. So, Kanye is the first person [international artist] to buy into it [Afrobeats]. Not just buy into it but is taking it to the next level.
Kanye West made a notable cameo appearance in the video for D’banj’s 2012 international hit ‘Oliver Twist,’ adding further global recognition to the song.
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