Wikipedia

Worship (Asake song)

"Worship" is a song by Nigerian singer and songwriter Asake, featuring French-Algerian record producer and DJ Snake. It was released on March 19, 2026, through Giran Republic and EMPIRE, accompanied by an official music video. The track serves as a lead single to Asake's fourth studio album, M$ney. A cross-cultural fusion of Afrobeats, fújì, and electronic dance influences,[1] "Worship" was produced by DJ Snake in partnership with Nigerian producer Magicsticks. The song centres on spiritual gratitude, resilience, and faith, with Asake delivering lyrics primarily referencing the Arabic phrase al-ḥamdu li-llāh ("praise be to God").

"Worship"
Single by Asake featuring DJ Snake
from the album M$ney
ReleasedMarch 19, 2026 (2026-03-19)
Recorded2025
Genre
Length2:49
Label
Songwriters
Producers
Asake singles chronology
"Turbulence (with Wizkid)"
(2026)		 "Worship"
(2026)
DJ Snake singles chronology
"In the Dark"
(2025)		 "Worship"
(2026)
Music video
"Worship" on YouTube

The track was first performed live during Asake's Red Bull Symphonic event in Brooklyn, New York, in late 2025 in the United States.[2] The studio recording was released the following March to coincide with Eid al-Fitr celebrations.[3]

Its accompanying music video, shot against a beach backdrop, presents a stripped-back, contemplative visual aesthetic distinct from Asake's characteristically high-energy live performances. Commercially, "Worship" debuted at number five on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.

Background and release

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In February 2025, Asake established his own record label, Giran Republic, following his departure from YBNL Records.[4]

On November 8, 2025, Asake headlined the Red Bull Symphonic series at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, becoming the first African artist to lead the orchestral showcase in the United States.[5] The performance paired Asake with conductor Glenn Alexander II and a 33-piece orchestra,[6][7] and featured surprise appearances from Wizkid, Gunna, Central Cee, Tiakola, and Fridayy.[8] During the set, Asake debuted "Worship" live for the first time, performing it within the orchestral arrangement. DJ Snake was also present at the event as a performer, and it was during this shared appearance that the two artists finalised their creative collaboration on the studio version of the track.[5]

In the weeks leading up to the single's release, videos circulated widely on social media showing Asake performing Umrah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and attempting to touch the Kaaba amid crowds of pilgrims.[9][10][11][12] The footage generated significant attention online and was widely read alongside the subsequent release of "Worship" as an alignment between personal religious observance and artistic output.[13][14][15]

"Worship" was released as an unannounced surprise drop on March 19, 2026, through Giran Republic and Empire.[16] Asake posted on social media on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, stating "Eid Mubarak 🌙 Stay in Worship 🤲🏽", which simultaneously served as both the announcement and release.[17] The release coincided with the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid celebrations.[18][19] The release followed Asake's return from Umrah in Saudi Arabia. The single followed Asake's joint EP ReaL, Vol. 1 with Wizkid, released in January 2026. "Worship" was formally positioned as the lead single for his fourth studio album M$ney, officially unveiled by Asake on April 22, 2026.[20][21] The album was released on May 1, 2026, and includes collaborations with Tiakola, DJ Snake, and Kabza de Small.[22]

Composition and lyrics

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"Worship" is a mid-tempo record produced by DJ Snake in collaboration with Magicsticks.

Music video

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An official music video was released simultaneously with the single on March 19, 2026, directed by Edgar Esteves. The video shows Asake dressed entirely in white and filmed against a serene beach backdrop, alongside choirs similarly dressed in white, framing the performance as a moment of personal and spiritual communion.[23] Visual choices in the video, including imagery of open water, white garments, and a stripped-back setting, correspond to the song's thematic concerns with spiritual devotion, transcendence, and peace.[24][25]

Critical reception

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Writing for Deeds Magazine, Chibuzo Emmanuel described "Worship" as the opening release of Asake’s M$NEY era, noting that the song reflected his rise within African music following a period of sustained commercial success. The review also highlighted the track’s production, particularly its use of piano keys and horn arrangements, which Emmanuel compared to the atmosphere of a church worship session.[26] On 1 May 2026, Rolling Stone included "Worship" on its weekly “Songs You Need to Know” list.[27] Craft Party of Trendy Beatz gave an insightful review to the song, noting "Worship" for its themes of faith, gratitude, and perseverance. Party also stated that Asake delivered the song in a melodic style, while the repeated chorus emphasized its central message. The review also commented on DJ Snake’s production for combining Afrobeats with an international sound while maintaining the song’s core identity.[28] Jerry Dagogo of Naij hub considered the song to be as motivational in tone and noted its appeal to listeners familiar with Asake’s musical style.[29]

Credits and personnel

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Charts

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Chart performance for "Worship"
Chart (2026) Peak
position
Nigeria Top 100 (TurnTable)[30] 1
UK Afrobeats (OCC)[31]1
US Afrobeats Songs (Billboard)[32]5
US Hot Gospel Songs (Billboard)[33] 2

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "In the Dark"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various March 19, 2026
[34]

References

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  1. ↑ Anazia, Daniel (2026-03-29). "Asake teams up with DJ Snake, finds spiritual groove in worship". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  2. ↑ Olomosedara, Abimbola (2025-12-12). "7 Highlights from Asake's Unforgettable Red Bull Symphonic Performance That Just makes Sense • Lists.ng". Lists.ng. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  3. ↑ Adebayo, Ademide (2026-03-20). "Asake Celebrates Eid With New single 'Worship' Featuring DJ Snake". Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  4. ↑ "Asake Shows Off Giran Republic On His Instagram". Cool FM - Your Number One Hit Music Station !. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  5. 1 2 Fofana, Oumou (2025-11-12). "Asake's Red Bull Symphonic Show Proves Afrobeats Has No Limits". Essence. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  6. ↑ "Glenn Alexander II: Asake's Red Bull Symphonic will honor Nigerian roots". Red Bull. 2025-11-04. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  7. ↑ "Red Bull Symphonic electrifies Brooklyn with historic Asake performance and Maestro Glenn Alexander II | amNewYork". www.amny.com. 2025-11-13. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  8. ↑ "Asake's Red Bull Symphonic fused afrobeats, classical music, and hip-hop". Red Bull. 2025-11-11. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  9. ↑ Fasan, Yewande (2026-03-14). "Asake struggles to touch Black Stone in Mecca amid crowd". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  10. ↑ Adekunle, Musa (2026-03-14). "VIDEO: Asake struggles to reach Black Stone in Mecca". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  11. ↑ Abiola, Adenle Ahmed (2026-03-13). "Asake reaffirms Islamic faith, visits holy site in Medina, performs Umrah + Video |". The Eagle Online. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  12. ↑ Alake, Olumide (2026-03-12). "Ramadan: Afrobeats Star Asake Arrives in Saudi Arabia for Umrah, Sparks "Alhaji Ahmed" Trend - Legit.ng". www.legit.ng. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  13. ↑ "Nigerian Music Star Asake Shows Resilience In Worship During Lesser Hajj In Saudi Arabia". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  14. ↑ Ibrahim_Bamidele (2026-03-14). "'It's not a must, it's a sunah': Cleric reacts to trending clip of Asake struggling to touch the black stone in Mecca (Video)". Intel Region Media & Tech. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  15. ↑ Afigbo, Chinasa (2026-03-15). "Cleric Shares Unexpected Reaction to Asake's Attempt at the Black Stone in Mecca "Must He Touch It?" - Legit.ng". www.legit.ng. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  16. ↑ "Asake Marks Eid Celebration With Surprise New Single 'Worship' Featuring DJ Snake". Pulse Nigeria. 2026-03-20. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  17. ↑ "Eid Mubarak 🌙 Stay in Worship 🤲🏽". X.com. Mar 19, 2026.
  18. ↑ Birjalal, Alyssia (2026-04-07). "Asake and DJ Snake drop 'Worship' just in time for Eid festivities". Daily News. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  19. ↑ Adebayo, Ademide (2026-03-20). "Asake Celebrates Eid With New single 'Worship' Featuring DJ Snake". Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  20. ↑ Akhimien, Nosakhale (2026-04-22). "Asake Announces Fourth Album 'M$NEY', Sets May 1 Release". Channels Television. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  21. ↑ Hussain, Shahzaib (2026-04-22). "Asake Announces New Album 'M$NEY' | News". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  22. ↑ Akhimien, Nosakhale (2026-05-03). "Asake Releases Fourth Studio Album 'M$NEY'". Channels Television. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  23. ↑ Sadiku, Mogbonjubola (2026-03-30). "Asake Drops Homecoming Documentary and New Single 'WORSHIP' with Visuals". newwavemagazine. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  24. ↑ Bartee, Richardine (2026-03-20). "Watch Asake praise God in 'Worship', produced by DJ Snake". GRUNGECAKE. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  25. ↑ Badewa, Collins (2026-03-20). "Asake Changes The Motive On "Worship" Banger + More New And Trending Songs Globally". Style Rave | The Ultimate Style Guide. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  26. ↑ "Deeds Magazine - Asake's Newly-Released Single 'Worship' Is The Opening Gambit of His M$NEY Era". www.deedsmag.com. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  27. ↑ Stone, Rolling (2026-05-01). "Kacey Musgraves, Vince Staples, Madonna, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  28. ↑ Wonah, Israel. ""WORSHIP" Review: Asake and DJ Snake Blend Faith and Motivation Into a Powerful Anthem". trendybeatz.com. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  29. ↑ Dagogo, Jerry (2026-03-24). "Asake & DJ Snake "WORSHIP" Review By NAIJHUB". NaijHub. Retrieved 2026-05-07.
  30. ↑ "Asake & DJ SNAKE's "Worship" Debuts at No. 1 on the Official Nigeria Top 100, 6UFF & ODUMODUBLVCK's "10 MINUTES" Holds at No. 7 on the Top 100". TurnTable. 8 April 2026. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  31. ↑ "Official Afrobeats Chart on 4/4/2026 – Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  32. ↑ "DJ Snake Chart History (Afrobeats Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  33. ↑ "DJ Snake Chart History (Hot Gospel Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  34. ↑ WORSHIP by Asake & DJ Snake on Apple Music, 2026-03-19, retrieved 2026-05-05
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