Swizz Beats, a renowned American music producer, and his ex-wife Alicia Keys revealed their contributions to introducing Nigerian Afrobeats artists, Wizkid and Burna Boy, to audiences in America on Amazon Music's Roundtable audiovisual podcast. According to Swizz Beats, during a time when the genre was not yet popular in the United States, he was the first person to play Wizkid's songs. He mentioned that while he and Alicia Keys were on a trip, they danced to Wizkid's music and thus introduced him to an American audience.
In addition, Swizz Beats revealed that he gave Burna Boy an opportunity to perform in front of an audience in the United States before he gained widespread recognition. Swizz Beats introduced him on stage and even played Fela Kuti's music, which many people thought was too African at that time. Despite the ignorance and resistance towards African music, Swizz Beats continued to push for its education and introduction to American audiences.
He stated, "I introduced Wizkid to America. I was the first person to play his song. Me and my wife [Alicia Keys] were on a trip and we danced to his songs. I was [also] the first person to bring Burna Boy to the States. I introduced him on the stage. When I was playing Fela Kuti, people thought I was being too African. And that how ignorant the energy was at that time. But I didn't let that stop me from moving what I'm moving because it's what it's. It's about education." Swizz Beats also emphasized that Americans shouldn't be afraid of the educational journey of something that sounds different or feels different, such as Afrobeats music.
