Billboard has launched a new monthly column that will highlight ten of the best new Afrobeats (and related) songs each month.
The monthly publication, dubbed “Afrobeats Fresh Picks of the Month,” will honor emerging artists who are not only advancing the genre but expanding it beyond its conventional boundaries by incorporating hip-hop, Amapiano, R&B, jazz, and soul, as well as the growing influence and diversity of music that is increasingly coming out of the African music economy, according to the editors.
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Stonebwoy’s love-inspired single “More of You,” Pheelz’s feel-good, romantic jam “Pheelz Like Summer,” and Khaid’s sweet ode “Jolie” are among the songs featured in the publication for the month of February. The list’s first installment included songs by Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Libianca, Teni, Zinoleesky, and other artists. The complete list can be found here: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/best-new-afrobeats-songs-tyla-pheelz-asake-bnxn-fresh-picks-1235255685/
The announcement comes months after Billboard launched its U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart in collaboration with music festivals and global Afrobeats brand Afro Nation to highlight some of the best music emerging from the African music scene and influencing listeners in the United States. The chart ranks the 50 most popular Afrobeats songs in the country based on a weighted formula that includes official streams from leading audio and video music services’ subscription and ad-supported tiers, as well as download sales from top music retailers.
“Billboard is excited to collaborate with Afro Nation on the launch of the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart,” Billboard’s SVP of Charts and Development, Silvio Pietroluongo said in a press statement released at the time of the launch. “As with much of the world, Afrobeats has grown tremendously as a genre in America, and we are proud to showcase the top songs and artists with this new weekly ranking.”
Afrobeats sounds and influences became more popular in the United States during the 2010s, thanks to artists like Beyoncé and Drake, and the genre has now produced some of the biggest success stories of the young decade, including songs like Wizkid’s “Essence” featuring Tems, CKay’s “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah),” and Fireboy DML’s “Peru.”
