Favourite African Rapper-Producer Partnerships
by Mayuyuka
In the spirit of focusing on the sterling contributions to the game by African producers, we decided to have a look at a few of our favourite rapper-producer duos. We sometimes take producers for granted and to borrow from a phrase swirling around; this is our little offering to the 'producers must rise' movement.
What we had in mind was a duo that's managed to come together three times or more to produce classics, and an update on what producers have branched out from their roles behind the scenes. A range of old and new alliances have formed over time so here's an overview of matches made in musical heaven:
Priddy Ugly's project You Don't Know Me Yet is entirely produced by Wichi 1080. Apart from the fact that a single producer on an album is rare nowadays... the different kinds of beats included on this work keeps it a refreshing listen! From standout tracks like Cocaine Ghost and the Big Star Johnson assisted Nobody, to the certified banger Bula Boot: the production deserves all sorts of fire flame emojis. The beats work in tandem with Priddy's unique delivery and voice.
Nyamz and Proverb who have a long established history. Classic tracks such as have stood the test of time
JaySo and Sarkodie. The criminally underrated rapper hailing out of Ghana has an ear for melodic beats. Jayso is responsible for most of them, also managing to churn out hiplife cuts. JaySo runs skillions Records where he's also released a solo album named Making Tasha Proud. Peep the album name sharing tite track
Sarz and Wizkid. Wizkid's dominant run has seen him stride mamoth paces over the past couple of years. He has been on this journey with the dependable Sarz who's moulded his sound into a mainstay on pop charts across the land, heres an actual afrobeat song infused with pop.
PH Raw X is responsible for working with pretty much everyone... his CV reads like a dream and the famous Raw X studios are responsible for joints such as KHULI MOTSWAKORIGINATOR And lost in time, Zubz coachella. He fits the bill as a producer's producer as his membership of music production team Octave Couplet. tailoring his style to expertly suit his wide range of clients for example most recently showing his versatility alongside Thandiswa Mazwai.
Shom C and Zone Fam a distinct Zambian sound by mixing elements of hip hop and a sprinkle of Zed and AfroBeats, Jay Rox, Dope G and Yung Verbal prove this is a succesful formula by featuring Badman Shapi, and Nigerians Ice Prince and Patoranking in Slow Mo. This track that showcases the best in both the production and lyrical aspects this combination of a trio of rappers and one beat head offers. Have a listen aftert the jump:
Tweezy and AKA have a promisingly formidable partnership. From churning hits like Run Jozi and All Eyes On Me to the brilliant Sim Dope these two are hand and glove when it comes to dropping hits. Recent exchanges on social media might dampen this relationship, but a controversial start to a solo career hasn't seen him shy away from leaving life behind the decks. An example of his solo offering is Ambition and the one below called Bonang
A relationship that also went through a similar period of acrimony was that between Thasman and HHP brought us hits like Harambe and the Cassper Nyovest-featuring Wamo Tseba Mtho .It's Bosso that got huge ad placements and probably ranks among the duo's greatest success though: