Spotify has announced that Afrobeats star Asake will headline and curate its popular African Heat Playlist for a special New Year’s Eve takeover as the world welcomes 2026.
The disclosure was made in a statement released on Wednesday in Lagos by Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu. She said the collaboration will showcase Asake’s hit tracks alongside standout sounds from across Africa.
According to Okumu, the African Heat playlist is designed to reflect the vibrancy, confidence, and energy of modern African music, offering listeners a lively soundtrack to usher in the new year.
“African Heat is about capturing the energy and confidence of African music as it exists today,” she said. “Having Asake as the cover represents the kind of artistes shaping how African sounds travel globally—deeply rooted at home but resonating worldwide.”
She explained that African Heat, which has amassed over one million followers, has grown beyond a playlist into a global movement, helping African artistes reach wider audiences while highlighting the continent’s most influential songs and cultural moments.
“With Asake—one of the most-streamed artistes on Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa—leading the playlist, this takeover celebrates the growing global influence of African music,” Okumu added.
She noted that Asake’s selection reflects his dominance in recent years, marked by era-defining albums and sold-out international arena tours.
“By spotlighting Asake, African Heat further strengthens its role in driving Afrobeats from a regional sound into a powerful global cultural force,” she said.
0 Comments