French and Nigerian Artists Create 60 Afrobeats Tracks

In a bustling Lagos studio, French beats met Nigerian rhythms, and something special happened. Nine French composers recently teamed up with Afrobeats artists at the legendary Mavin Records headquarters to create 60 tracks designed for global audiences.

The weeklong collaboration brought together musicians from different worlds. French rap, pop, and urban music producers worked alongside artists from the label that launched stars like Rema, Ayra Starr, and Ladipoe. They divided into groups, shared ideas, and let the music guide them across language barriers.

For 21-year-old French producer PSK, it was his first time in Africa. He noticed something different right away. "What I found interesting is how people let songs carry them away," he said. The Nigerian artists explored their ideas further, creating tracks that felt both mellow and rhythmic.

The energy flowed both ways. Nigerian producer Dunnie Alexandra Lawal saw it as a natural evolution. "Afrobeats might have originated in west Africa, but the future of Afrobeats is international," she said.

Mavin Records singer Elestee knew exactly what audiences would love. Listening to one piano-driven track, she smiled. "I could listen to it at six in the morning while driving, with a smile on my face. The audience will love it," she said.

The Ripple Effect

This collaboration taps into something bigger happening across continents. France has become one of Afrobeats' strongest markets outside Africa, with the genre influencing nearly every chart-topping track. Recent hits like Tiakola and Asake's "Badman Gangsta" prove that French and Nigerian artists create magic together.

The partnership also opened doors for Caribbean sounds. Shannon, a singer-songwriter from Martinique, brought Shatta music into the mix, blending dancehall, trap, and electronic sounds with Afrobeats. "It blends together beautifully," she said.

French producer Voluptyk captured what makes Lagos special. "There's music everywhere. As soon as you arrive, it's on the buses, in the hotels. It's truly a country of music," the 24-year-old said. That constant creative energy shaped every track they made.

Akotchaye Okio, who organized the camp for international artists' rights group Sacem, set a clear goal. "If one or two songs hit like Ayra Starr's 'Rush' or Rema's 'Calm Down' then we would have achieved it all," he said.

Now comes the exciting part. Mavin Records artists will choose their favorite beats and record vocals, turning these collaborative creations into finished songs ready for the world.

Music has always crossed borders, but this camp proved that when artists truly listen to each other, they create sounds that belong to everyone.