Asa Asika, long-time manager of Afrobeats megastar Davido, has stated that the global rise of Afrobeats could have reached even greater heights if Davido, Wizkid, and other leading Nigerian artists had collaborated more consistently.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Afropolitan Podcast, Asika emphasized the importance of unity and partnerships within the music industry. He noted that Latin music’s explosive growth in global markets is largely due to cross-artist collaboration between stars like J Balvin, Bad Bunny, and Nicky Jam, who regularly appear on each other’s records.
“Afrobeat would have been bigger if Davido, Wizkid and the likes of others were collaborating,” Asika said. “I might be wrong, but the probability of Afrobeats being more successful and bigger is a thing. Our genre ticket values at international shows will be stronger.”
Asika’s remarks have sparked conversations across social media platforms, with fans and industry players weighing in on whether the rivalry between Nigeria’s top artists has hindered the full potential of the Afrobeats genre.
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To view Asa Asika’s full remarks, watch the podcast clip below:
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In his analysis, Asika explained that fans of Latin and reggaeton music enjoy a wide range of musical diversity from the same set of artists. By constantly working together and supporting each other’s projects, they have built a cohesive soundscape and industry that has captured the attention of a global audience.
By contrast, Afrobeats, despite dominating streaming platforms and stages around the world, has seen relatively few joint projects between its biggest stars. Many in the industry believe that perceived rivalries—especially between Davido and Wizkid—have created silos that ultimately reduce the genre’s market leverage, especially in regions like North America and Europe.
“Latin music benefits because the artists pull each other up,” Asika continued. “Imagine Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Rema, and Asake dropping back-to-back features or joint albums. That would change the game completely.”
Afrobeats has made significant inroads globally in recent years. Artists like Burna Boy, Tems, Wizkid, and Davido have performed on global stages including the Grammys, Coachella, Billboard Awards, and several international festivals. However, Asika believes that more strategic collaboration—both within and beyond Nigeria—could elevate the genre even further.
Fans of the genre have expressed mixed reactions. Some agree that collaborations are vital and cite historic moments like “Essence” by Wizkid featuring Tems, and “Champion Sound” by Davido and Focalistic, as examples of when synergy has delivered global success. Others argue that the distinct branding and fan loyalty surrounding each artist may make frequent collaboration difficult.
Industry stakeholders are also watching closely. Afrobeats is projected to become a multi-billion dollar market, with African music festivals, record labels, and international distribution companies increasing their investments on the continent. Collaborations between top artists would not only bring more fans together but also raise the ticket values, streaming numbers, and sponsorship revenues across the board.
Asa Asika, who has managed Davido since the early 2010s, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures behind the Afrobeats movement. He co-founded The Plug, a music management and distribution company that represents multiple African talents. His commentary on industry trends often garners attention from both local and international audiences.
In closing his podcast appearance, Asika issued a gentle call-to-action:
“We need to think beyond personal branding and focus on the collective good of the culture. If Afrobeats is going to be on the same level as K-pop or Latin pop, we must collaborate like family.”
The message comes at a crucial time when the world is paying more attention to African music than ever before. Whether this call will lead to a new wave of partnerships among Afrobeats heavyweights remains to be seen.
For now, fans are hopeful that the genre’s biggest stars will begin to bridge the divide and deliver the collaborations that could take Afrobeats to the next global milestone.
