RedOne’s ‘A.W.A.M.’ Aims to Define the Global Sound of African Unity

RABAT, Morocco – January 16, 2026 – In a move poised to reshape the global music landscape, multi-Grammy Award-winning producer RedOne has officially unveiled "A.W.A.M.," a landmark album project designed to serve as the definitive sound of modern African culture and unity. The ambitious album brings together a staggering roster of African and international superstars, including Davido, Ayra Starr, Rema, French Montana, Akon, Ne-Yo, and Jason Derulo, creating a powerful statement that places African identity squarely at the center of the global conversation.

Released in collaboration with the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) and host nation Morocco for the AFCON 2025 tournament, "A.W.A.M." transcends the typical event soundtrack. It is presented as a large-scale cultural work, a meticulously crafted body of music intended to capture the continent's creative force and establish a lasting sonic legacy.

A Cultural Archive, Not Just an Album

From its conception, "A.W.A.M." was envisioned as more than a compilation of hits. RedOne, born Nadir Khayat in Morocco, has framed the project as a "cultural archive"—a body of work designed to endure long after the final whistle of AFCON 2025. The project is a joint effort between his 2101 Records and industry titans 10K Projects and Atlantic Records, signaling a significant investment in its long-term cultural impact.

"A.W.A.M. is a moment where Africa gathers in full view of the world," RedOne stated in the official announcement. "Music at this scale isn't decoration. It's identity moving through time. This project is about honoring Africa's complexity and unity, and creating a sound that belongs to the continent while welcoming the world."

This philosophy of creating legacy over fleeting moments is echoed by the project's partners. "RedOne and A.W.A.M. represent the kind of artist and project that define culture, not just charts," said Nico Ziangas, President of 10K Projects. "He has created a body of work that centers African identity on a global scale, and we're proud to support a project that treats music as legacy, leadership, and lasting cultural impact." The album's very name, which translates loosely to "the people" or "the masses," reinforces its goal to represent a collective continental voice.

The Architect of Global Sound and Sport

If anyone is equipped to helm such a monumental undertaking, it is RedOne. Over the past two decades, he has built one of the most influential catalogs in modern music. His signature touch helped define the sound of an era, producing and co-writing seismic hits for Lady Gaga ("Poker Face," "Bad Romance"), Jennifer Lopez ("On the Floor"), Enrique Iglesias, and Nicki Minaj. His work has consistently topped charts and redefined pop music across continents.

In parallel, RedOne has carved out a unique and powerful niche at the intersection of music and global sports. He has become the go-to creative force for crafting anthems that capture the emotional crescendo of the world's biggest sporting events. His credits include the iconic "¡Hala Madrid!" for Real Madrid and the globally resonant "Dreamers" by Jungkook of BTS for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Having been appointed FIFA's Creative Entertainment Executive in 2021, his work has consistently united competition, national pride, and collective emotion through sound.

"A.W.A.M." represents the grand convergence of these two formidable legacies. By tethering a purpose-built musical statement to the massive platform of the Africa Cup of Nations, RedOne is applying his proven formula for global resonance to a project with deep personal and cultural significance, ensuring the music reaches an audience of hundreds of millions.

An African Renaissance on a Global Stage

The release of "A.W.A.M." arrives at a pivotal moment for African music, which has undergone a meteoric rise in global influence. Genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano are no longer niche but are dominant forces shaping international trends. In 2022, Sub-Saharan Africa was the world's fastest-growing music market, and streaming data tells a story of explosive growth. Between 2017 and 2022 alone, streams of Afrobeats on Spotify surged by an astounding 550%.

Artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Tems have become household names, selling out stadiums and collaborating with the biggest stars in Western music. The recent addition of a Grammy award for Best African Music Performance, won in its inaugural year by Tyla for her viral hit "Water," has further solidified the continent's place at the industry's top table.

"A.W.A.M." is not merely riding this wave; it aims to be a new benchmark within it. By curating a project with such high production value, a star-studded international roster, and the backing of major labels and continental institutions, it sets a new standard for how African music is packaged and presented to the world. Co-executive producer Efe Ogbeni described the album as a harbinger of what's to come. "This project is the first of many to come, Africa to the world, and represents an African Renaissance built on collaboration, diversity, and global ambition."

A Star-Studded Statement of Unity

The album's immediate impact demonstrates its powerful appeal. Upon release, multiple tracks shot to the top of YouTube Music charts in Morocco and cracked the top five on global YouTube trending charts, confirming the project's resonance far beyond the continent. The 12-track album seamlessly blends global pop and R&B with a rich tapestry of African sounds, featuring a diverse lineup that reflects this vision.

Alongside global icons like Ne-Yo, Jason Derulo, and Akon, the album prominently features the vanguard of modern African music, including Nigerian powerhouses Davido, Rema, and Ayra Starr. It also serves as a major platform for Moroccan talent, with artists like Inkonnu, Manal Benchlikha, and Hatim Ammor contributing to a sound that is both distinctly North African and pan-continentally resonant. This blend of artists creates a multilingual, genre-fluid statement that captures Africa's dynamic cultural landscape.

RedOne's role extends beyond the album itself, as his creative leadership permeates the entire AFCON 2025 experience. He is also the producer behind the official opening ceremony anthem and several Moroccan pride anthems, including "Maghribi Maghribi," crafting a comprehensive sonic identity for the tournament. Together, these works present a confident, contemporary African sound—one that is rooted in heritage, fluent in the present, and unapologetically expansive in its global reach.