Cross-generational music collaborations in Africa have promoted continuity, as legends and new stars collaborate to shape the sound of the present through the past.
Benin’s legendary singer, Angélique Kidjo, just released ‘Aye Kan (Are you Coming Back?)’, featuring Ayra Starr from Nigeria. The harmony? It sends chills down the spine.
This cross-generational collaboration, like many others, is a mix of nostalgic and fresh rhythm that we have come to love through the years. 
Across decades, some of the continent’s most memorable songs have come from collaborations between veteran icons and new-generation stars.
Let’s explore five more collaborations between music legends and new stars in Africa.
SEE ALSO: Wizkid, Ayra Starr, and Moliy Dominate Global Stage with Major Award Wins
Late Dr Victor Olaiya and 2Face
In 2013, one of the founding fathers of Highlife music in Nigeria, the Late Dr Victor Olaiya, collaborated with the African Queen crooner, 2face Idibia, to give us a highlife classic.
The song titled ‘Baby Mi Da’ is a remix of Dr Victor Olaiya’s ‘Baby Jowo’ released in the 1960s.
‘Baby Mi da’ was a mix of Olaiya’s maestro trumpet lines, lyrical wits and highlife-jazz fusion, without leaving out the reggae and dancehall rhythm that 2Face is known to give.
You couldn’t have listened to that song without moving your body.
Angelique Kidjo and Davido
Can we say Kidjo just loves the new music stars too much?
In August 2024, the ever energetic five-time Grammy award-winning music legend from Benín collaborated with five-time Grammy nominee, Davido, to give us ‘Joy’.
The almost three-minute song we didn’t see coming was written by Kidjo during a time when negative world news was the order of the day. She wrote and hoped to create something that would spread positivity.
“We hope this song can bring the world together for a moment of JOY!” she said.
Youssou N’Dour and Burna Boy
Nigerian singer Burna Boy’s ‘Twice as Tall’ album in 2020 featured the sonorous voice of Youssou N’Dour.
N’Dour is one of the world’s greatest singers from Senegal. He is also a songwriter, composer, and politician.
The Grammy award winner is known for his Islamic Sufi chants, and his Wolof vocal styles added high-energy fusion to Burna Boy’s ‘Level Up.’ His part in the song is always something to look forward to.
It’s safe to say this collaboration contributed to ‘Twice as Tall‘ earning Burna Boy his first Grammy win.
Ebenezer Obey and Simi
This one feels like a Nigerian daddy-daughter single every time you listen to it.
‘Aimasiko Lo N Damu Eda’ was released by Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey in 1987. In 2017, Simi decided to do a remix titled ‘Aimasiko’, featuring the music legend.
Obey is a legendary Nigerian musician, songwriter, and evangelist who pioneered modern Jùjú music in the 1960s. He is known for his creative blend of traditional Yoruba percussion with guitars, Proverbs and social commentary.
This collaboration with Simi is a blend of contemporary R&B and traditional highlife.
Amakye Dede and Sarkodie
Amakye Dede brought his soulful, melodic hooks that reflect traditional Ghanaian love themes and Sarkodie added youthful energy and lyrical sharpness to make ‘Love Rocks’ relatable to a new generation.
The song was released in 2014 as part of Sarkodie’s album ‘Mary.’
Love Rocks has rhythms of guitars, horns, and sound rooted in classic highlife, but while still maintaining a contemporary feel.
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