Alexa, play ‘Man of the Year’ by ScHoolboy Q, because this baller has won the moment already just 13 days into 2025. Our January cover star didn’t shy away from putting us on to his favourite artists when we headed to the Etihad Campus to chat all things fashion, AfroBeats and the album of 2024 with Pep Guardiola’s trusty centre-back.
Take notes people, these ones need to be added to the playlist immediately.
Akanji has been long been a fan of AfroBeats, often sharing his love of Nigerian artist Burna Boy.
“Burna Boy, Asake and Omah Lay,” he said when asked to name his top artists.
It was almost an instant reply from the Swiss defender, who went on to explain his musical taste further.
“When I was young, I listened to a lot of rap and hip-hop. Now, I still do but I mostly listen to Afrobeats. I’m always playing Lonely at the Top from Asake. There were some good songs on the new Asake album, but I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite.
“My favourite of 2024 was One of Wun by Gunna, it was really good.”
With so many footballers now killing it in the world of music, we’re looking at you Alex Iwobi, you may be wondering what an Akanji album would sound like.
If you hadn’t guessed already, he’d be making AfroBeat music if he hopped in the booth.
“I feel like you can listen to it all the time,” he explained. “That’s why I also don’t listen to as much rap and hip-hop anymore. I do before a match, but I feel like with AfroBeats you’ve got everything. I could put it on every day in the car or at home, even with my kids.”
Okay Akanji, you’ve put us on. About to go and make an AfroBeats playlist to last the whole of 2025.
