The Africa Now playlist includes songs from the greatest African musicians and features the latest releases from genres such as hip hop, gqom, Afrobeats, amapiano, Afropop, alté and kuduro, among others. The playlist will be updated every week to follow the new music as it is released.

Apple Music says that the Pan-African ideal never died. It has transformed into hybrid sound fragments which link Jozi to Nairobi via Lagos and Accra. Africa Now was launched with “African Giant” star Burna Boy as an artist on the playlist cover, and features her latest single “Money Play” at the top.

“Apple Music is a huge support system to ensure that African music reaches as many ears as possible around the world,” said Burna Boy. “As an Apple Music Up Next 2019 artist, the impact of this honor can still be felt today. So, more fat for them. They are now part of the family, they still love.”

Other artists on the playlist include Davido (Nigeria), Sho Madjozi (South Africa), Sarkodie (Ghana), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Tiwa Savage (Nigeria), DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small (Africa South), among others.

The new feature marks an early start to the year for the music streaming service, after a number of improvements were made to the playlist arena by music streaming platforms in 2019.