Asake and Tems feature on Lewis Hamilton's motivational 'PRE SEASON' playlist

Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton is hyped up for 2026 with more than just laps on the track.

This Thursday, Feb 12., the seven-time world champion unveiled his "PRE SEASON" playlist on Spotify, a pulsating 48-track hip-hop odyssey designed to fuel winter training and testing vibes.

Clocking in at over three hours of raw energy, the curation blends golden-era rap with contemporary bangers, from Raekwon's gritty 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...' to 2Pac's timeless 'All Eyez on Me', and fresh cuts by 21 Savage and A$AP Rocky.

But what truly accelerates the mix is Hamilton's inclusion of Afrobeats powerhouses Tems and Asake.

At the heart of the playlist are two tracks that bridge continents and genres, amplifying Nigeria's sonic export to global audiences.

J. Cole's "Bunce Road Blues," a standout from his long-awaited album The Fall Off (released January 2026), features Tems' ethereal vocals alongside Future's trap-infused haze. It's on track 38 of the 2 hours 30 minutes playlist.

No less electric is J Hus' "Gold," slotted immediately after at track 39, where the UK-Ghanaian rapper teams up with Nigerian sensation Asake for a shimmering Afrobeats-UK drill hybrid.

This isn't mere playlist filler; it's a nod of aprroval from one of Formula 1's greatest who appears to be a supporter of the "Afrobeats to the World" movement, a cultural tidal wave that's reshaped global pop since the mid-2010s.

Hamilton is currently in the middle of 2026 pre-season testing in Bahrain, marking the start of his second year with Ferrari. The 41-year-old British star is entering a new era of Formula 1 regulations with a mix of optimism about the "winning mentality" with his Italian outfit and concern over a lack of stability in his immediate engineering team. 

The Ferrari driver has completed his initial runs in the new SF-26 during the first Bahrain test. 

During day one of testing in Bahrain, Hamilton set the 7th fastest time before handing the car over to teammate Charles Leclerc. He noted that while the new 2026 cars have more electrical power, the regulations are "ridiculously complex".

Ultimately, he affirmed his desire to bounce back from a hellish debut and push for success this year.