Kanye West First International Artist To Promote Afrobeats – D’Banj

Music icon D’banj has claimed American rapper, Kanye West’s significant role in introducing Afrobeats to the Western world.

In a recent episode of the ‘Listen’ podcast, D’banj shared that Kanye was the first international artist to embrace Afrobeats, paving the way for its global popularity.

D’banj recalled meeting West in Dubai where the American rapper expressed his interest in African music, having learned about it from university students.

This encounter led to D’banj and Don Jazzy being signed to West’s record label, Good Music.

D’banj credited Kanye West as a pioneer in promoting Afrobeats beyond the African region.

He said: “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 take it to the next level”.