The Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart debuts today (March 29), ranking the 50 most popular Afrobeats songs in the United States based on a weighted formula that includes official streams from leading audio and video music services on both subscription and ad-supported tiers, as well as download sales from top music retailers. As previously announced, Billboard partnered with Afro Nation, a music event and global brand, to launch the first-ever Afrobeats music chart in the United States.
"Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)" by Nigeria's CKay, which was launched in 2019 and has lately been boosted by a slew of international remixes that have helped ignite a flurry of virality on TikTok, is at the top of the inaugural list, which was announced on April 2. According to Luminate, previously MRC Data, the track received 4.7 million official U.S. streams during the tracking week of March 18-24.
The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 2, 2021, and is now in its 27th frame on the April 2 tally, recovering 41-39 after peaking at No. 26 in February. On the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts, it also charted at No. 2.
Fireboy DML and Ed Sheeran's "Peru," at No. 2; Wizkid's "Essence," featuring Justin Bieber and Tems, at No. 3; Omah Lay and Bieber's "Attention," at No. 4; and Tems' "Free Mind," at No. 5 round out the first Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs top five.
Meanwhile, CKay closes out the top 10 with his 2022 release "Emiliana," which comes in at No. 10. He's one of seven acts to have two songs in the top ten, and five others have three or more hits. Tems tops the poll with eight responses, highlighted by her guest appearance on Wizkid's "Essence" and her own "Free Mind."
Wizkid comes in second with six chart appearances. Davido has three, Burna Boy has five, Rema has four, and Burna Boy has five.
