Billboard has gone live with America’s first ever Afrobeats chart in partnership with trailblazing festival group Afro Nation.

The first chart topper is CKay’s ‘Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)‘, a song that had the world hooked over the summer – both in personal playlists and on TikTok.

Obi Asika – Afro Nation co-founder – revealed why now is the perfect time in a press statement.

“As with much of the world, Afrobeats has grown tremendously as a genre in America and we are proud to showcase the top songs and artists with this new weekly ranking.”

The genre has had an indelible effect worldwide on culture, music and fashion in the past ten years and is finally receiving the spotlight it has always deserved. With the help of influence from megastars such as Beyoncé, Drake, Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran the sound has been widely adopted into the mainstream.

These artists have been extremely helpful and respectful whilst orchestrating the necessary support to bring the sound to wider audiences. However, the genre stands tall on it’s own and respect is due to the artists that have carried it this far for so many years.

P-Square deserve their flowers. D’Banj. Ice Prince. Davido. Wizkid. Burna Boy. Tiwa Savage. Yemi Alade. Patoranking.

The chart so far has a heavy West African presence, as is expected, as Nigerians originated the sound that is identified as Afrobeats and Fela Kuti is often referenced as being the father of the predecessor genre ‘Afrobeat’.

It is yet to be confirmed whether the chart will feature adjacent genres such as Afro Swing, Amapiano and other region specific sounds . But it’s likely that these songs will be included.

It’s 2022 and Afrobeats is being presented in it’s own right – as it should – at the world stage.