Shaggy Enters Billboard Afrobeats Songs Chart For First Time
Reggae and Dancehall veteran Shaggy breaks new ground, landing on Billboard’s US Afrobeats Songs chart for the first time in his career. His collaboration with Rwandan artist Bruce Melodie, When She’s Around (Funga Macho), has now debuted on the chart following its release in October last year.
The track also debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart dated March 30.
Released via S-Curve Records, When She’s Around (Funga Macho) is a blend of African rhythms and reggae vibes, produced by AJR. A playful music video, shot in Miami Beach by director Jay Will, has picked up over 5.3 million views on YouTube since its release.
“Bruce’s talent is undeniable, and this collaboration opens up new horizons for both of us,” Shaggy had said in a statement to DancehallMag. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this project and hope it spreads joy and happiness the world over.”
Bruce Melodie echoed the sentiment. “Collaborating with Shaggy has been a dream come true,” he shared. “It’s an incredible opportunity to bring our distinct styles together. ‘When She’s Around (Funga Macho)’ is a fusion of our worlds and I’m excited for fans around the world to hear it.”
The Afrobeats Songs Chart was introduced in early 2022. Every week, it ranks the 50 most popular Afrobeats songs in the United States “based on a weighted formula incorporating official streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of leading audio and video music services, plus download sales from top music retailers.”
Elsewhere on the charts, YG Marley’s debut single, Praise Jah In The Moonlight, continues its impressive global run but has fallen to No. 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, down from its peak at No. 34.
The song is also currently at No. 11 on the Billboard Global 200 Excl. US chart, No. 37 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, No. 47 on the Billboard Streaming Songs chart, No. 35 on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart, No. 46 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
On the UK Singles chart dated March 27, Praise Jah In The Moonlight is at No. 39, down from its peak at No. 5.
On the Billboard Reggae Albums chart dated March 30, Bob Marley and the Wailers are No. 1 for the 219th non-consecutive week with Legend: The Best Of Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Shaggy’s Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection is at No. 2, followed by Sean Paul’s Dutty Classics Collection at No. 3.
Stick Figure’s World On Fire, Set In Stone and Wisdom albums are at Nos. 4, 5 and 8, respectively.
UB40’s Greatest Hits is at No. 6, followed by Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock at No. 7.
Bob Marley and the Wailers’ album Exodus and Rastaman Vibrations are at No. 9 and 10.