Ten years on, the track that Drake and Skepta jumped on isn't just a classic—it's the blueprint that allowed Afrobeats to conquer the world on its own terms.

Ten years ago, a mid-tempo track produced by Legendury Beatz quietly shifted the tectonic plates of global pop music. "Ojuelegba" wasn't designed for the clubs of London or the radio waves of New York—it was a hyper-local ode to a specific neighborhood in Surulere, Lagos. It was a story of struggle, prayer, and hustle.

Today, in late 2025, as we celebrate its first decade, it is impossible to overstate the song's importance. Before "Essence," before the Grammy wins, and before the sold-out stadium tours that are now commonplace for Nigerian artists, there was "Ojuelegba."

The Shift: From "Exotic" to Essential

In 2015, when Drake and Skepta jumped on the remix, it was seen as a major co-sign. In retrospect, it was the moment the West realized they weren't doing Afrobeats a favor; they were catching up. The song didn't pander. It didn't speed up its bpm for Euro-pop sensibilities. It remained stubbornly, beautifully Nigerian.

"The magic of Ojuelegba was its patience," says music historian Tunde Alabi. "It forced the world to slow down and listen to our stories at our pace."

2025 Legacy: The Blueprint

Looking at the charts in December 2025, the influence is everywhere. The current wave of "Afro-fusion" artists—from Omah Lay to the rising stars of this year—owe a debt to the template Wizkid set. He proved that authenticity travels further than assimilation.

As we close out 2025, "Ojuelegba" stands not just as a hit song, but as a monument. It is the track that told every kid in Lagos, Accra, and Nairobi: your story, told in your voice, is enough for the world.