In a surprising genre crossover, Kanye West now legally known as Ye tapped into Afrobeat rhythms during a previously unreleased session from his Yandhi project, recorded in Uganda.
According to studio sources close to the 2018 retreat at Chobe Safari Lodge, Ye laid down an impromptu freestyle over a beat produced by Nigerian hitmaker Maleek Berry, best known for his collaborations with Wizkid, Runtown, and Mr Eazi. The session, which was largely kept under wraps, is now surfacing online through leaks and fan forums.
The freestyle reportedly blends Ye’s signature gospel-tinged lyricism with West African percussion and melodic synth lines a sonic direction that could signal more genre fusion in his future projects.
“This wasn’t just a beat he rapped on,” said a source familiar with the session. “Ye was vibing to the core of Afrobeat he bounce, the emotion, the storytelling. It wasn’t forced.”
The Yandhi album, initially teased as a follow-up to The Life of Pablo, was later shelved and repurposed into 2019’s Jesus Is King. However, the Uganda recordings, made during a spiritual and creative retreat in East Africa, have remained a fascination for fans and music insiders alike.
Ye’s collaboration with Maleek Berry marks a rare direct engagement between the American rapper-producer and Nigerian sound architects, even though Afrobeat’s global influence is now undeniable. In recent years, artists like Burna Boy and Tems have crossed into the US mainstream and now, it seems Ye was quietly tuned in early.
While there’s no official word on whether the track will be released, the moment underscores a growing bridge between Afrobeats and global hip-hop. For Ye, it’s another chapter in a genre-blurring career. For African producers like Maleek Berry, it’s a long-overdue co-sign from one of hip-hop’s most influential figures.