Tag: Burna Boy

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Tinubu congratulates Rema, Burna Boy, others as Nigeria shines at 9th AFRIMA

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian artistes who won awards at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), saying their success shows that Nigeria’s creative industry continues to gain global recognition.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, the President praised the winners for making the country proud on the continental stage.

“I warmly congratulate our outstanding Nigerian artistes for their remarkable achievements at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards. Your success on this great continental stage is a proud moment for our nation and a strong reflection of the depth of talent, creativity and hard work that define Nigeria’s music industry,” Tinubu said.

The President added that the artistes did more than win trophies, stressing that, “You have not only won awards; you have projected our culture, amplified the voice of our youths and strengthened Nigeria’s creative identity across the continent and beyond.”

Nigerian artistes dominated the awards ceremony, which held from January 7 to 11, 2026, in Lagos, the official host city designated by the African Union Commission. Rema won Artiste of the Year, Best Male Artiste in Western Africa and Best African RnB and Soul. Burna Boy clinched Album of the Year. Shallipopi won Song of the Year and Best African Collaboration alongside Burna Boy. Phyno emerged Best African Hip-Hop, Qing Madi won Most Promising Artiste, Yemi Alade secured Best Soundtrack, while Chella won African Fans’ Favourite. Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye received the AFRIMA Legendary Award.

Tinubu said the achievements of the artistes reflected years of consistency and hard work, adding that Nigerian music has become “a strong voice for the country across Africa and beyond.” He noted that platforms such as AFRIMA continue to create opportunities for African talents to shine globally.

He also commended Lagos State for hosting the event, describing the state as Africa’s creative capital. “I commend Lagos State for once again proving its capacity as Africa’s creative and entertainment capital. I congratulate the Lagos State Government and His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the excellent hosting of Africa’s global music awards and for providing a safe, vibrant and welcoming environment for delegates, artistes and guests from across the continent,” he said.

The President further assured that his administration would continue to support the creative industry, saying it has the potential to drive economic growth and job creation. “Culture is the soul of a people, and music remains one of Africa’s strongest voices. I remain deeply committed to supporting initiatives that promote our culture and empower our creative talents. Our government is fully committed to empowering young Nigerians and strengthening the creative economy,” Tinubu added.

AFRIMA, founded in 2014 by the International Committee of AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union Commission, is regarded as Africa’s biggest music awards platform. The 9th edition recorded participation from more than 1,216 artistes, delegates and stakeholders from at least 48 African countries.

Activities for the 2026 edition began on January 7 with a Welcome Soiree at the residence of the Deputy British High Commissioner, followed by the Africa Music Business Summit at the Eko Convention Centre. Events continued with the AFRIMA Music Village at Ikeja City Mall, which attracted over 20,000 fans and featured performances from more than 25 top artistes, before ending with a sold-out grand finale where winners received the 23.9-carat gold-plated AFRIMA trophy. (Guardian)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Tyla tops Africa’s Spotify monthly listeners chart

South African singer Tyla has become the African artist with the highest number of monthly listeners on Spotify, overtaking Nigerian stars Burna Boy and Tems.

The achievement makes the 22-year-old singer the most-followed African artiste on the streaming platform, showing how quickly she has risen and gained international attention.

Born Tyla Laura Seethal, the Johannesburg-born singer broke into the global spotlight in 2023 with her hit single Water. The song became a viral success across social media platforms, especially TikTok, and helped introduce Tyla to a worldwide audience.

Water went on to chart in several countries and earned Tyla worldwide recognition.

The success of the track marked a turning point in her career, positioning her as one of Africa’s most visible music exports.

Since then, Tyla has released other songs such as Kick to Start, Truth or Dare, and Channel which have helped sustain her momentum and attract new listeners across different markets.

In 2024, Tyla won the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance with Water, making her one of the youngest African artistes to receive the honour.

Beyond the Grammys, Tyla has also won several international awards. She has won the MTV Video Music Awards, the BET Awards and the MTV Europe Music Awards, recognising both her music and her impact as a rising pop figure.

Her growing list of accolades has helped position her as one of the most influential young artistes from Africa.

By surpassing Burna Boy and Tems in monthly listeners, Tyla joins a small group of African artistes whose music consistently attracts a massive global audience.

Burna Boy is known for his dominance and Grammy-winning career, while Tems has also enjoyed international success and also won several music awards, including the Grammys through collaborations and solo releases.

As Tyla’s fan base continues to grow, fans are glued to see more releases, tours and collaborations from her as we approach 2026. (Guardian)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ayra Starr, Tyla, Burna Boy and more are nominated for 2026 Grammy Awards

The Recording Academy has announced the nominees for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards, unveiling the musicians and recordings that influenced the past year. The ceremony is scheduled for February 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with a global broadcast on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

This year’s nominations arrive at a moment when African music has firmly entered the global conversation and is heavily informing and directing it. From Lagos to Johannesburg, Accra to Nairobi, and all the areas in between, the sound of the continent continues to influence how people dance, feel, remember, mourn, and celebrate. African artists are the moment, the center stage, the sauce, injecting global sounds with spirit and soul.

The 2025 GRAMMYs offered a clear illustration of this shift. Tems won the award for Best African Music Performance with “Love Me JeJe,” a recognition that reflected positively on her ongoing rise and the Academy’s increasing acknowledgment of African innovation as a contemporary cultural force. South African flautist Wouter Kellerman also earned a win in the New Age/Ambient category, the third in his career so far, proving that African musicians are excelling across genres that have historically seldom recognized them. And although some African nominees did not take home trophies in the major categories, their presence alone marked a meaningful step forward. The Grammys have come a long way, but work still needs to be done if African music is to be viewed in its fullness. 

In the Best African Music Performance category, the nominees reflect the breadth of the continent’s sound in 2025. Burna Boy earns a spot with “Love”, while Davido and Omah Lay come in with the tender, radio-favored “With You.” Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo teams up with Mehran Matin on “Hope & Love,” while Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s effortlessly catchy “Gimme Dat” also makes the list, standing alongside Tyla‘s “Push 2 Start.” Angélique Kidjo returns to familiar territory with a nomination for Best Global Music Performance for “Jerusalema,” reaffirming her status as one of the continent’s most decorated and enduring cultural ambassadors. Similarly, Burna Boy extends his international streak with a nod for Best Global Music Album, making it the 11th time he’s been nominated.

Nigerian-American country artist Shaboozey earns a nomination for Best Country Solo Performance with “Good News,” and also appears in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category for “Amen,” alongside Jelly Roll. In the Best Global Music Album category, two giants who have shaped the modern sound of the continent stand side by side. Burna Boy lands a nomination for No Sign of Weakness, while Senegalese maestro Youssou N’Dour, whose album Éclairer le monde (Light the World) speaks to his long-standing role as both cultural ambassador and sonic innovator.

The Recording Academy has continued to diversify and globalize its membership, incorporating more voices with lived experience across a wider array of musical cultures. As the voting body becomes more reflective of the world’s actual musical communities, the awards naturally shift as well, which makes possible an environment in which African musicians are an essential part of defining the core of the conversation. 

As anticipation builds toward February, the question now is how far this influence will extend and how it will continue to reshape the global landscape of sound. The nominations affirm that the continent is firmly in the room. It’s in the sound, the style, and the pulse of the present. (OkayAfrica)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Fela influenced me, but didn’t inspire my music — Burna Boy

Nigerian music star Burna Boy, born Damini Ogulu, has clarified the role of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti in shaping his career in a recent interview with tennis icon Roger Federer on Complex’s GOAT Talk.

The episode, titled “Burna Boy & Roger Federer Debate The Best & Worst Things Ever”, originally aired on YouTube on September 24 and has recently resurfaced online, giving fans an intimate look at the superstar’s influences, personal tastes, and the cherished traditions that shaped him.

During the conversation, Federer asked Burna Boy about the albums he considers the greatest of all time.

The Afro star listed a wide range of classics, including Joe’s My Name Is Joe, Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III, and 2Pac’s Makaveli.

He also emphasised all of Fela Kuti’s albums. However, when pressed on which of these works inspired him the most, Burna Boy said, “Honestly, none. I promise you. But, well, Fela was a big influence on me.”

He explained that Fela’s records were part of the soundtrack of his childhood, shaping his environment and awareness of Afrobeat, even if they did not directly guide his own music.

Burna Boy also shared that his first albums included the Joe album he received for his 10th birthday, alongside Fela’s full collection from his grandfather, emphasising that every Fela album remains a “goat album” in his eyes.

“First album, I got the Joe album for my 10th birthday gift… I got all Fela albums from my granddad. So every Fela album is a goat album. Lil Wayne’s The Carter III. Tupac’s Makaveli.”

The interview offered fans a peek into Burna Boy’s broader musical taste, listing rappers like Tupac, Big Pun, J-Hus, and DMX across generations, and citing singers, including Fuji artists like Saeed Osupa, as well as global icons such as Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, and Freddie Mercury.

He also recounted how Freddie Mercury and Queen were part of his father’s musical influence, showing a blend of both African and international inspirations in his upbringing.

Beyond music, Burna Boy delved into more personal aspects of his life. He revealed the origin of his stage name, linking it to a comic-book persona he created as a child, endowed with fire powers and the ability to fly.

“That’s actually how I got the name Burna Boy, because I wanted to be a character in the comic book,” he explained.

He also talked about family traditions, particularly Christmas, which he described as a sacred time to be home with loved ones.

Despite the demands of a professional schedule, he emphasised the importance of spending the day together.

Burna Boy painted a vivid picture of family Christmas celebrations, sharing how they prioritise presence over plans. He noted the challenge of juggling careers and traditions, but highlighted that the holiday remains a time for reconnecting, sharing meals, and creating lasting memories with extended family.

Food was another nostalgic topic, as Burna Boy reflected on his childhood favourites. He fondly remembered, “Fried yams and stew with all the meats you can get… Like beef or sausage… When I was a kid, I used to eat yams and sleep off on the bench.”

While Fela Kuti’s music played a formative role in his upbringing, Burna Boy makes it clear that his artistic journey has been guided by his own vision and experiences. (Punch)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Burna Boy, Wizkid, Ayra Starr top Spotify’s 2025 Afrobeats list

Spotify has named Afrobeats star, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, widely known as Burna Boy, as one of the top Afrobeats artists of the year.

The list, unveiled by the streaming service in an Instagram post on Monday, is dominated by Nigerian artists.

Ranked alongside Burna Boy are Divine Ikubor, known as Rema; Balogun Ayodeji, popularly called Wizkid; Ahmed Ololade, Asake, and Ayra Starr, as the only female artist on the latest ranking.

Spotify posted:  “Afrobeats continues to expand its reach, with fans streaming artists such as #heisrema, #wizkidayo, and #burnaboygram from Nigeria to Brazil.

“Check out some of the top songs, artists, and countries fuelling the genre’s discovery and growth globally.”

The platform also unveiled the top Afrobeats songs on Spotify for 2025.

Accordingly, top songs are Santa by Ayra Starr; Rauw Alejandro; and Rvssian; Shake It To The Max (FLY) – Remix by MOLY, Shenseea, Silent Addy, and Skillibeng; Calm Down (with Selena Gomez) by Rema, featuring Selena Gomez, WE PRAY by Burna Boy, Coldplay, Elyanna, Little Simz, and TINT; and People by Libianca.Spotify also said Afrobeats songs were most discovered in 2025 in the US, Brazil, France, the UK, Germany, and Nigeria. (Vanguard)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Fans join Lionesses for ‘unbelievable’ Euros parade

England’s triumphant squad had misgivings about how popular their Euro 2025 parade would be, but they need not have worried as 65,000 fans joined their celebrations in London – as well as members of the Royal Family.

The Lionesses held an open-top bus parade along The Mall after becoming back-to-back European champions with a dramatic win over Spain on Sunday.

Fans lined the route before gathering around a stage in front of the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace, where some of the players were interviewed by former Lioness Alex Scott.

“I’ve been crying all the way down The Mall,” said captain Leah Williamson.

“This is unbelievable, probably one of the best things we’ve been a part of.”

The 28-year-old Arsenal defender added: “We’re making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.”

Chloe Kelly, who scored England’s winning goal at 2022 and the decisive penalty in Sunday’s shootout, said: “Pressure, what pressure?”

The 27-year-old Arsenal forward described how special the team’s support has been at home and at the Euros in Switzerland.

She added: “[It is] so good to stand side by side with every single one of these girls throughout the whole tournament, and the staff that you don’t see behind the scenes. It’s incredible.”

Princess Beatrice of York attended the parade and there was a surprise for England coach Sarina Wiegman as her favourite singer Burna Boy joined the squad on stage.

The Dutchwoman then sang and danced along as the Nigerian sang his hit For My Hand.

“Yeah, Sarina’s got rhythm,” Washington Spirit defender Esme Morgan told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“She absolutely loves Burna Boy. I can’t believe it. Her face when they brought Burna Boy out was a picture. None of us could believe it to be honest and, yeah, she was busting out some moves and singing away, so that was a special moment.”

The Football Association (FA) said at least 65,000 people attended the parade and Morgan added: “A few of us said the other day ‘we hope the parade is not the full length of The Mall because there might not be enough people to fill it’.

“We were like ‘what if that happens?’ – but we showed up today and it was absolutely packed, I can’t believe it. You don’t realise the scale of how many people watch and support us, and yeah, we feel so lucky.”

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It was funny, the players kept asking us ‘do you think people will really come?’

“And we were like ‘yeah, they definitely will come’. We’d seen crowds yesterday coming to meet them at the airport so we were really confident, but the British public are just incredible and really did us proud today.”

The England squad flew back to Southend airport on Monday before attending a reception at Downing Street. (BBC)