The Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Top 5 hit has surpassed 10.2 million Spotify streams in under two weeks as Blaqbonez’s catalog exceeds 700 million career streams worldwide
Nigerian music star Blaqbonez is reaching new heights with his hit single “Chanel” featuring Asake. The song has surpassed 10.2 million Spotify streams in less than two weeks, charted in 97 countries, peaked at No. 10 on the Global Shazam Top Songs Chart, and made history as the first song by a Nigerian rapper to simultaneously top six streaming platforms.
With more than 700 million career streams, the rapper-singer-songwriter continues to establish himself as one of Africa’s most influential voices, bringing Afrobeats and hip-hop to audiences worldwide.
(Cover Art for “Chanel” by Blaqbonez ft. Asake. Photo Credit: Tola Adisa)
Blaqbonez felt like he was on Cloud 9 as he glided down the streets of Lagos, Nigeria on his
hoover board. The experience of creating his latest hit “Chanel” feat. Asake was otherworldly.
He literally recorded the song with one hand while holding an mp3 with the other. The words
flooded his thoughts as they have so many times before whether it was in the streets battling
other rappers in over 40 freestyle battle raps to date or alone in his room – one thing is for sure
when Blaqbonez gets into his zone hits are created, history is made, and a statement is made.
His latest statement, his latest record “Chanel” which reached No. 1 on Apple Music and Spotify
in Nigeria and topped Apple Music in Ghana within the first week of its release. Internationally,
the song climbed to No. 3 on the Official UK Afrobeats Chart and No. 3 on Australia’s Hip-
Hop/R&B Chart, while also making an impact in Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United
Arab Emirates, and dozens of other territories. The single currently holds the No. 5 spot of the
U.S. Billboard Afrobeats charts.
The song has since become a global phenomenon, the soundtrack and anthem for fans of all
ages, races, and backgrounds in their ‘Super Fly’ ‘Super Sexy’ moments of life. It’s the type of
song men play in the background as they flex their jewelry, cars, and mansion. And the women,
Oh the women – it has a way of making them feel sexier and sexier with each play.
“Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, on my neck, lyooCartel/ Bad girl say she want Chanel, Chanel, mm/
Fokan bale, Nike, everything correct/ Me I hear say you dey vex, hmm, pele,” Blaqbonez sings
in the hook. As fans worldwide embrace African music and culture, he’s unapologetically
bringing Nigerian ‘Big Boy’ ‘Body Music’ to the world stage.
(L to R: Asake, Blaqbonez. Photo Credit: Tola Adisa)
With 2.4 million views and counting on YouTube, the music video for “Chanel” brings the song
to life with a visual concept that was built around creating a world that felt elevated and deeply
rooted in contemporary African art and culture. Deliberate with visual language and symbolism,
co-Director Christian Saint says “Featuring Black women styled in high-fashion looks was a
deliberate and creative decision that reflects beauty, elegance, power, and sophistication.”
“The song just has everybody from top to bottom looking their best. Swag has to do with your
mind, how you can put things together. Fashion doesn't have to be expensive, being fly doesn't
have to be expensive. I think it’s a bridge between hip-hop and Afrobeats because the tempo is
very high and it has that hip hop feel to it – the delivery and everything. It’s the perfect blend of
Hip Hop and Afrobeats,” Blaqbonez explains.
“Chanel” featuring Asake is available now on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify,
Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, Pandora, and other digital services.
Fans can follow Blaqbonez on Instagram at @blaqbonez.
(Blaqbonez photo/image. Photo Credit: Tola Adisa)
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