Nigerian singer Asake has emerged at the top of Apple Music’s list of the best African songs of 2026, with his track ‘Forgiveness’ taking the number one spot ahead of Tems’ ‘What You Need’ and ‘Jogodo’, his collaboration with Wizkid.
Victony’s ‘Slick’ came fourth on the chart, while ‘Big Bum Bum’ by Kidd Carder and Mavo secured the fifth position.
In its review of the year’s music, Apple Music described Asake as “a commercial powerhouse”, pointing to the success of his fourth album, ‘M$NEY’, as well as the sustained popularity of his earlier projects.
“In 2026, one of the foremost testaments to the continent’s far-reaching musical ingenuity was the work of Asake, who cemented himself as a commercial powerhouse this year, landing among the top-ranked African artists worldwide on the strength of his fourth album, M$NEY,” the statement reads.
“Asake’s catalogue depth is the real story though, with Mr. Money with the Vibe, Work of Art and Lungu Boy continuing strong showings even as the new album dominated.
“Factor in hits like ‘Forgiveness’, Travis Scott collab ‘Active’, ‘Fuji Vibe’ or the Wizkid-assisted ‘MMS’, and whether new fan or diehard, Asake is gonna give you an earful.”
DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez, Wizkid and Mavo’s ‘Money Constant’ takes the sixth position, followed by ‘Nakupenda’ by TxC, Davido, Scotts Maphuma and Shoday.
‘How Far’ by NO11 and Ayjay Bobo ranks eighth, while Blaqbonez’s ‘Chanel’, featuring Asake, takes ninth. Davido, FOLA and Mayorkun’s ‘B4 B4’ completes the top 10.
The playlist features 50 songs from African artistes across different genres.
See the full list below:
- ‘Forgiveness’ — Asake
- ‘What You Need’ — Tems
- ‘Jogodo’ — Wizkid & Asake
- ‘Slick’ — Victony
- ‘Big Bum Bum’ — Kidd Carder & Mavo
- ‘Money Constant’ — DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez, Wizkid & Mavo
- ‘Nakupenda (feat. Al Xapo & Zlatan)’ — TxC, Davido, Scotts Maphuma & Shoday
- ‘How Far (feat. Monochrome)’ — NO11 & Ayjay Bobo
- ‘Chanel (feat. Asake)’ — Blaqbonez
- ‘B4 B4’ — Davido, FOLA & Mayorkun
- ‘Back Outside’ — BNXN & Sarz
- ‘My Healer’ — Seyi Vibez & Omah Lay
- ‘Heaven Baby (feat. ZAYN)’ — Ayra Starr
- ‘Treat U Right’ — FOLA & Ayra Starr
- ‘That Girl’ — Tyla
- ‘La Pétasse’ — Aya Nakamura
- ‘Aura Salad’ — SSSoundGawd & Mavo
- ‘Mofe’ — Mavo
- ‘I Am’ — Omah Lay
- ‘Elumelu’ — Young Jonn
- ‘GTA’ — Seyi Vibez
- ‘Paparazzi’ — Shoday & FOLA
- ‘Eja Meja (feat. Asake)’ — BNXN
- ‘Fine Ting (Fine $hit)’ — FOLA
- ‘Colorado’ — Johnny Drille, Ayra Starr & Young Jonn
- ‘Gratitude’ — Asake
- ‘Turbulence’ — Wizkid & Asake
- ‘I Know Who I Be’ — Davido, JAZZWRLD & GL_Ceejay
- ‘Back 2 U’ — Seyi Vibez
- ‘Ice Cream’ — Mavo
- ‘Oh No’ — Rema
- ‘Hot Body’ — Ayra Starr
- ‘That Girl!’ — Darkoo & Asake
- ‘MCBH’ — Asake
- ‘Alaye’ — Wizkid & Asake
- ‘Already’ — BNXN & Sarz
- ‘Who’s Dat Girl’ — Ayra Starr & Rema
- ‘Worship’ — Asake & DJ Snake
- ‘Attention!’ — FOLA
- ‘Tornado’ — Ayra Starr
- ‘BB Lifestyle’ — Mavo & SSSoundGawd
- ‘TEA’ — Rema
- ‘FRE$H’ — Victony
- ‘Ilome’ — Seyi Vibez
- ‘Mopepe’ — Bukzin Keyz, Benzoo & Tango Supreme
- ‘Ama Hem Hem (feat. ShaunMusiq)’ — Thatohatsi & Sjava
- ‘Fast Fast (feat. Roscosteazy, Optimist Music ZA &JussGigi)’ — 031choppa, Al Xapo & Benzoo
- ‘PopStar’ — Black Sherif
- ‘Signature’ — KiDi & Lasmid
- ‘Energy’ — Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal & Mavo
