The United Kingdom’s first-ever official music chart for Afrobeats, which will be releasing a weekly rundown of the top 20 songs in the genre, will debut on July 26.
It is understood that the Official UK Afrobeats Chart will be compiled using UK sales and streaming data from over 9,000 outlets, incorporating audio and video streams, downloads and physical sales.
The development comes at about the same time when the Official Charts Company revealed the top 20 Afrobeats artists of the past 12 months — based on official UK sales and streaming data — ahead a special launch show to be held on BBC Radio 1Xtra on Sunday.
While J Hus, a British rapper, topped the chart with his single ‘Must Be’, Burna Boy, a Nigerian singer, snagged second place with ‘Ye’, a track from his third album.
Other Nigerian artistes who also made the list are Naira Marley (20), Tekno (19), Rema (18), Mr Eazi (13), Wizkid (12), Davido (11), among other African singers.
“It has been amazing to witness over the past decade the sheer growth in African music being welcomed by the UK and the international market,” Kofi Kyei, part of the chart’s creators, said.
“A scene that defines a culture, a people, and countless generations, its music has soundtracked underground culture for years, being the go-to sound in clubs, parties, and communities.
“For long, Afrobeats artists have had to work tirelessly to get their voices heard. Now, African music is finally being seen as a leading sound that global superstars turn to on a regular basis.
“The Official UK Afrobeats Chart will help open up the culture to new audiences, giving emerging artists the opportunity to be heard whilst celebrating the sound of a continent that has gone global.”
Addressing his inclusion and prospects on the chart, Naira Marley attributed his recent successes in music to the idea that he had always blended his language and background into his releases.
“Afrobeats has been about culture. From day 1, I’ve always blended my language and background into my music that’s why so many people connect with it, especially the African diaspora,” he said.
“The genre is a force to be reckoned with. It’s about time there was an Official Afrobeats Chart, and be sure to see Naira Marley at the top!”
Below is UK’s official top 20 Afrobeats artists of the past 12 months, according to the Official Charts Company:
| POS | ARTIST | BIGGEST AFROBEATS TRACK OF THE PAST 12 MONTHS IN THE UK | OFFICIAL SINGLES CHART PEAK |
| 1 | J HUS | MUST BE | 5 |
| 2 | BURNA BOY | YE | NA |
| 3 | NSG | OPTIONS FT. TION WAYNE | 7 |
| 4 | YXNG BANE | RIHANNA | 40 |
| 5 | B YOUNG | 079ME | 23 |
| 6 | ZIEZIE | FRENCH KISSES (FT. AITCH) | 35 |
| 7 | YOUNG T & BUGSEY | DON’T RUSH | 19 |
| 8 | NOT3S | WANTING | 42 |
| 9 | DARKOO | GANGSTA (FT. ONCE ACEN) | 22 |
| 10 | KOJO FUNDS | I LIKE (FT. WIZKID) | 74 |
| 11 | DAVIDO | BLOW MY MIND | NA |
| 12 | WIZKID | JORO | NA |
| 13 | MR EAZI | MISS YOU BAD (FT. BURNA BOY) | NA |
| 14 | FUSE ODG | DANGEROUS LOVE | 3 |
| 15 | AFRO B | DROGBA (JOANNA) | NA |
| 16 | T MULLA | DROPTOP (FT. HARDY CAPRIO) | 78 |
| 17 | AYA NAKAMURA | DJADJA | NA |
| 18 | REMA | DUMEBI | NA |
| 19 | TEKNO | SKELETUN | NA |
| 20 | NAIRA MARLEY | SOAPY | NA |
Copyright 2024 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle