Words by: Billy Ward
On July 21st, the UK launched its first official Afrobeats chart.
The official chart results are released every Sunday at 2pm, with BBC Radio 1Xtra set to host a special launch show on July 26th to celebrate the new addition.
A playlist of the UK’s official Top 20 Afrobeats artists of the last 12 months has also been curated, including some of the hottest names about right now.
J Hus currently holds top spot in the list with ‘Must Be’, the Jae5 link-up which also earned the number 1 position in our 50 Best Tracks of 2019. Burna Boy arrives in second place with ‘Ye’, while Not3s, Yxng Bane and B Young all have tracks in the top 10.
Kofie ‘Funkz’ Kyei of MOVES, a member of the team that created the new chart, stated: “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. 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 in a way that’s shaped our very culture.”
“For too long, Afrobeats artists have had to work tirelessly to get their voices heard and now African music/Afrobeats 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. Its importance can’t be measured and I look forward to celebrating the biggest and best tracks each and every week!”
Stream ‘The UK’s Official Top 20 Afrobeats Artists Of The Past 12 Months’:
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