Blaqbonez and Asake Take “Chanel” Global as Record Charts in 97 Countries
Nigerian superstar Blaqbonez is proving that Afrobeats continues to evolve on a global scale. With the explosive success of
Nigerian superstar Blaqbonez is proving that Afrobeats continues to evolve on a global scale. With the explosive success of his latest single, “Chanel” featuring Asake, the rapper has reached a new milestone in a career already defined by innovation, authenticity, and a willingness to challenge expectations.
Released on May 21, “Chanel” has quickly emerged as one of the biggest Afrobeats records of 2026. The record has generated more than 10.2 million Spotify streams in less than two weeks, making it the fastest song by a Nigerian rapper to reach the milestone. The song has also charted in an impressive 97 countries, climbed to No. 3 on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart, and reached No. 1 across six streaming platforms simultaneously.
For Blaqbonez, the success is about more than numbers.
“It feels really good because I’ve always known that I was here for a purpose,” he said. “I’ve never been okay with just completing the numbers. I have something to bring to Afrobeats and Nigerian music.”
That mindset is evident throughout “Chanel,” a record Blaqbonez describes as the perfect blend of hip-hop and Afrobeats. According to the artist, the song was inspired by a moment of pure freedom while riding a hoverboard through the streets of Lagos, Nigeria.
“This is big boy music,” Blaqbonez explained. “It’s music that’s supposed to make you feel rich, feel sexy, and feel larger than life.”
The collaboration with Asake has resonated worldwide, helping the song dominate streaming platforms in Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, and beyond. The accompanying visual, directed by Christian Saint and Edgar Esteves, has already surpassed 2 million YouTube views and continues to gain momentum.
Beyond the commercial success, Blaqbonez sees “Chanel” as part of a larger mission to push Nigerian music into new territory.
“I want Hip Hop to be a centerpiece of Nigerian music again,” he said. “This song, to me, is the beginning of that.”
With more than 700 million career streams and 2.4 million monthly Spotify listeners, Blaqbonez has become one of Africa’s most influential artists by blending hip-hop, Afrobeats, R&B, drill, and alternative sounds into a style entirely his own.
As “Chanel” continues its global rise, Blaqbonez isn’t just enjoying a hit record—he’s helping redefine what a Nigerian rapper can achieve on the world stage.
Blaqbonez photo/image. Photo Credit: Tola Adisa
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