Africa Unite was probably inevitable. In the decade-plus that Afrobeats has been on the rise worldwide, outreach and collaboration with established genres, mostly hip-hop and R&B, have been key to the success formula.
One thing Afrobeats shares with Stephen Marley's approach is a dedication to a spare soundscape, though here it is mostly drum- and keyboard-oriented. This collection could never have happened without Island's participation, as it seems artists have been given access to the original Bob tracks to use, discard, accompany and substitute at will.
Read full review and review of Stephen Marley's Old Soul here.