Music streaming platform Spotify has announced that Afrobeats star Asake will curate its popular African Heat playlist for an exclusive New Year’s Eve takeover as the world ushers in 2026.
The development was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday in Lagos by Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu.
According to Okumu, the collaboration will showcase Asake’s chart-topping songs alongside influential sounds from across the African continent.
She explained that the African Heat playlist is designed to reflect the energy and confidence of contemporary African music, offering listeners a vibrant and high-energy soundtrack to ring in the new year.
“African Heat is about capturing the energy and confidence of African music as it exists today.
“Having Asake as the cover reflects the kind of artists shaping how African sounds move through the world, rooted at home but resonating everywhere,” Okumu said.
Okumu noted that African Heat, which has amassed over one million followers, has grown beyond a playlist into a global movement. She said it now serves as a major platform for African artists to reach new audiences while highlighting the continent’s most influential songs and cultural moments.
“With Asake, one of the most-streamed artists on Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa fronting the playlist, the takeover celebrates the expanding global footprint of African music on the world stage.”
She added that Asake’s selection reflects his dominance in recent years, driven by multiple era-defining albums and sold-out international arena tours.
“By tapping into the afrobeats star, African Heat further reinforces its role in pushing the genre from a regional movement into a leading global cultural force.”
