Grammy-nominated Nigerian singer Ahmed Ololade, popularly known as Asake, takes the first spot on Apple Music’s Africa Now: Best of 2026 playlist with Forgiveness, followed by Tems’ What You Need.

Jogodo, his collaboration with Wizkid, occupies third place, giving Asake two appearances among the first three selections.

The singer also features on Blaqbonez’s ‘Chanel’, which sits ninth on the 50-song playlist.

In its commentary accompanying the selection, Apple Music highlighted Asake’s fourth album, M$NEY, and the continued performance of his earlier projects. The platform described him as “a commercial powerhouse”.

“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.”

Victony takes fourth place with ‘Slick’, followed by ‘Big Bum Bum’ by Kidd Carder and Mavo.

At sixth is ‘Money Constant’, which brings together DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez, Wizkid and Mavo. ‘Nakupenda’, by TxC, Davido, Scotts Maphuma and Shoday, follows in seventh place.

NO11 and Ayjay Bobo’s ‘How Far’ occupies eighth place, ahead of Blaqbonez’s Asake-assisted ‘Chanel’.

Davido, FOLA and Mayorkun complete the first 10 selections with ‘B4 B4’.

The playlist contains 50 songs and runs for two hours and 33 minutes.

See the full list below:

1. ‘Forgiveness’ — Asake
2. ‘What You Need’ — Tems
3. ‘Jogodo’ — Wizkid & Asake
4. ‘Slick’ — Victony
5. ‘Big Bum Bum’ — Kidd Carder & Mavo
6. ‘Money Constant’ — DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez, Wizkid & Mavo
7. ‘Nakupenda (feat. Al Xapo & Zlatan)’ — TxC, Davido, Scotts Maphuma & Shoday
8. ‘How Far (feat. Monochrome)’ — NO11 & Ayjay Bobo
9. ‘Chanel (feat. Asake)’ — Blaqbonez
10. ‘B4 B4’ — Davido, FOLA & Mayorkun
11. ‘Back Outside’ — BNXN & Sarz
12. ‘My Healer’ — Seyi Vibez & Omah Lay
13. ‘Heaven Baby (feat. ZAYN)’ — Ayra Starr
14. ‘Treat U Right’ — FOLA & Ayra Starr
15. ‘That Girl’ — Tyla
16. ‘La Pétasse’ — Aya Nakamura
17. ‘Aura Salad’ — SSSoundGawd & Mavo
18. ‘Mofe’ — Mavo
19. ‘I Am’ — Omah Lay
20. ‘Elumelu’ — Young Jonn
21. ‘GTA’ — Seyi Vibez
22. ‘Paparazzi’ — Shoday & FOLA
23. ‘Eja Meja (feat. Asake)’ — BNXN
24. ‘Fine Ting (Fine $hit)’ — FOLA
25. ‘Colorado’ — Johnny Drille, Ayra Starr & Young Jonn
26. ‘Gratitude’ — Asake
27. ‘Turbulence’ — Wizkid & Asake
28. ‘I Know Who I Be’ — Davido, JAZZWRLD & GL_Ceejay
29. ‘Back 2 U’ — Seyi Vibez
30. ‘Ice Cream’ — Mavo
31. ‘Oh No’ — Rema
32. ‘Hot Body’ — Ayra Starr
33. ‘That Girl!’ — Darkoo & Asake
34. ‘MCBH’ — Asake
35. ‘Alaye’ — Wizkid & Asake
36. ‘Already’ — BNXN & Sarz
37. ‘Who’s Dat Girl’ — Ayra Starr & Rema
38. ‘Worship’ — Asake & DJ Snake
39. ‘Attention!’ — FOLA
40. ‘Tornado’ — Ayra Starr
41. ‘BB Lifestyle’ — Mavo & SSSoundGawd
42. ‘TEA’ — Rema
43. ‘FRE$H’ — Victony
44. ‘Ilome’ — Seyi Vibez
45. ‘Mopepe’ — Bukzin Keyz, Benzoo & Tango Supreme
46. ‘Ama Hem Hem (feat. ShaunMusiq)’ — Thatohatsi & Sjava
47. ‘Fast Fast (feat. Roscosteazy, Optimist Music ZA &JussGigi)’ — 031choppa, Al Xapo & Benzoo
48. ‘PopStar’ — Black Sherif
49. ‘Signature’ — KiDi & Lasmid
50. ‘Energy’ — Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal & Mavo