Asake’s ‘Forgiveness’ Tops Apple Music’s Best African Songs of 2026 List

Nigerian singer Asake has emerged at the top of Apple Music’s selection of the best African songs of 2026, with his hit single, ‘Forgiveness’, claiming the number one position. The song leads the chart ahead of Tems’ ‘What You Need’ and ‘Jogodo’, a collaboration between Wizkid and Asake, which occupy the second and third positions respectively.

Victony’s ‘Slick’ secured the fourth spot, while ‘Big Bum Bum’ by Kidd Carder and Mavo came fifth on the ranking.

In its review of the year’s outstanding African music, Apple Music praised Asake for his commercial success and influence on the continent’s music scene. The streaming platform described him as a commercial powerhouse, highlighting the impressive performance of his fourth studio album, M$NEY, alongside the continued popularity of his earlier projects.

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Apple Music noted that Asake’s musical catalogue has remained relevant, with albums such as Mr. Money with the Vibe, Work of Art and Lungu Boy continuing to attract listeners despite the release of his latest project.

The platform also identified several of his successful collaborations and singles, including ‘Forgiveness’, ‘Active’ featuring Travis Scott, ‘Fuji Vibe’ and ‘MMS’ with Wizkid, as further evidence of his strong musical presence throughout the year.

Taking the sixth position is ‘Money Constant’, a collaboration involving DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez, Wizkid and Mavo. Meanwhile, ‘Nakupenda’ by TxC, Davido, Scotts Maphuma and Shoday occupies seventh place.

NO11 and Ayjay Bobo’s ‘How Far’ ranked eighth, followed by Blaqbonez’s ‘Chanel’, featuring Asake, in ninth position. Davido, FOLA and Mayorkun rounded off the top 10 with their collaborative track, ‘B4 B4’.

The annual selection features 50 songs by African musicians across different genres, reflecting the diversity, creativity and growing international influence of the continent’s music industry.

Below is the complete list of Apple Music’s 50 Best African Songs of 2026:

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