Apple Music 2026 list shines on Nigerian stars

Apple Music 2026 List Shines on Nigerian Stars

Nigerian music continues to gain international recognition as five songs featuring Nigerian artistes have secured places on Apple Music’s Best Songs of 2026 list. The selection, released on Friday, November 6, has attracted attention from music lovers, with fans celebrating the country's growing influence on the global music scene.

According to a report by NotJustOk, Nigerian stars Wizkid, Tems, Asake, BNXN and Victony are among the artistes represented on the prestigious annual selection.

The Nigerian songs featured on the list include:

1. PONGO – Wizkid, alongside Jamaican producer Rvssian and Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro.
2. Jogodo – Wizkid featuring Asake.
3. What You Need – Tems.
4. Back Outside – BNXN featuring Nigerian producer Sarz.
5. SLICK – Victony.

Among the Nigerian artistes featured, Wizkid stands out as the most represented, appearing twice with two different collaborations. His first appearance is on “PONGO”, an international collaboration that brings together Afrobeats, Caribbean and Latin music influences. His second entry, “Jogodo”, sees him team up with fellow Nigerian superstar Asake.

Tems earns recognition with her solo record, “What You Need”, while BNXN's collaboration with renowned producer Sarz on “Back Outside” also makes the selection. Victony completes the Nigerian representation with his song “SLICK”.

The recognition is significant for Afrobeats, a genre that has continued to attract listeners beyond Africa. Being featured on an internationally recognised music platform such as Apple Music gives Nigerian artistes greater visibility and introduces their sounds to new audiences.

Global music lists also help Afrobeats fans celebrate homegrown talent, discover new songs and measure the growing international reach of Nigerian music. Such recognition can create more opportunities for collaborations, streaming and international performances.

For Nigerian music lovers, the inclusion of these artistes is another reason to celebrate the country's creative industry. With Wizkid appearing twice, the selection also highlights the continued global appeal of Nigerian musical talent.