10 Times Burna Boy Shocked The World: Afrobeats Royalty

Burna Boy Shocked The World with his rise to global stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary. With a blend of rich Afrobeat rhythms, thought-provoking lyrics, and a captivating stage presence, he has redefined what it means to be an international artist.

As we all know, Burna Boy has grown from being just a Nigerian Afro-fusion sensation to a global superstar and one of the most talked about artists in the world right now. On several occasions, the Port-Harcourt-born star has continually stunned the world with his musical prowess and countless groundbreaking achievements.

Here are a selected 10 significant moments that highlight how the “Odogwu” has shocked the global music scene.

1. Historic Billboard Hot 100 Entries

Burna Boy made history by becoming the first African artist to debut two songs on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in a single calendar year. His tracks “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” and “Talibans II” both charted, with the former debuting at No. 80 in September 2023.

This achievement underscores his growing influence in the global music industry.

2. “Last Last” Reaches No. 1 on U.S. Afrobeats Chart

In July 2022, Burna Boy’s hit song “Last Last” peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Afrobeats Billboard chart. This marked a significant milestone as it was the first time a Nigerian artist had a song reach the top of this newly established chart, further solidifying his status as a leading figure in Afrobeats music.

Also, In terms of certifications, Burna boy’s monster hit song, “Last Last” earned numerous accolades worldwide. In Australia, it was certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for selling over 70,000 units. In Canada, it achieved 2× Platinum status with sales of 160,000 units. Denmark awarded the song a Gold certification for reaching 45,000 sales. In France, it was honoured with a Diamond certification, an impressive milestone that signifies 333,333 units sold.

In New Zealand, it went Platinum with 30,000 units sold, while in Switzerland, it also received a Platinum certification for 20,000 units. The song was especially successful in the United Kingdom, where it was certified 2× Platinum with 1.2 million sales. In the United States, it earned Platinum status with 1 million units sold, a testament to its widespread appeal. Additionally, in Sweden, “Last Last” received a Platinum streaming certification for over 8 million streams.

3. First new age Nigerian act to win a Grammy

Burna Boy’s album Twice As Tall winning the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album in 2021 came as a surprise to many, making him one of the few African artists to receive such a prestigious honour. Just a year earlier, he had lost in the same category to Angelique Kidjo, a result that sparked significant discussion among fans online.

The singer’s Grammy victory was not only a personal triumph but also a proud moment for Nigeria and the Afrobeats genre as a whole. It further elevated Burna Boy’s status in the music industry, cementing his reputation as the true ‘giant’ he is today.

4. Record-Breaking Streaming Numbers

Burna Boy’s album Love, Damini, released in 2022, made history by becoming the highest-debuting Nigerian album on the Billboard 200 chart, where it peaked at No. 14. The album also demonstrated his immense streaming power, amassing over 5.5 million streams on Boomplay within just 24 hours of its release, highlighting the dedication of his fanbase.

On the UK charts, Love, Damini reached No. 2 on the UK Albums (OCC) chart and claimed the top spot on the UK R&B Albums chart. On the US World Albums chart, it achieved a strong position at No. 2.

The album earned several certifications globally. In Canada, it was certified Gold for 40,000 units sold, while in Denmark, it achieved Gold with 10,000 units. In France, the album received a Gold certification for selling 50,000 units, and in the Netherlands, it was also awarded Gold for 20,000 units. In Sweden, Love, Damini reached Gold status with 15,000 units sold, and in the United Kingdom, it went Gold with 100,000 units. These certifications reflect the album’s widespread success and enduring popularity across various regions.

5. First African to Perform at the Grammys

In 2024, Burna Boy made history by being announced as one of the performers for the Grammy Awards, becoming the first African artist to perform live at the prestigious event. This groundbreaking performance was expected to further elevate his global profile and solidify his influence on the international music scene.

Burna’s performance was electrifying, featuring energetic dancers and a backing band dressed in green, a likely tribute to the Nigerian flag. Wearing a red rhinestone-adorned quilted jacket with matching grey trousers and a snapback, Burna exuded confidence and joy as he proudly showcased his culture on the Grammy stage.

During his performance, Burna brought out vibrant dancers and a band dressed in green, a nod to Nigeria. He performed hits like “City Boys” and “Sittin’ On Top of the World,” where he was joined by Brandy, who delivered smooth vocals in her first Grammy appearance since the 1990s, showcasing their shared spotlight on the global stage.

6. Multiple Billboard Records

Burna Boy has consistently set records on the Billboard charts, becoming one of the Nigerian artists with the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100, sharing this honour with Tems. His ability to chart multiple songs across different years highlights his lasting influence and relevance in the global music scene.

Some of his notable Billboard Hot 100 entries include Last Last, which debuted on 23rd July 2022, peaked at No. 44 on 15th October 2022, and spent 19 weeks on the chart. Sittin’ On Top of the World debuted at No. 80 on 9th September 2023 and stayed for three weeks. He also appeared with 21 Savage and Metro Boomin on Just Like Me, which debuted at No. 67 on 27th January 2024. Talibans II, his collaboration with Byron Messia, peaked at No. 99 on 5th August 2023, and his feature on Justin Bieber’s Loved By You reached No. 87 on 3rd April 2021.

These entries reflect Burna Boy’s consistent chart presence and his impact across various years.

7. International Collaborations

Burna Boy’s international collaborations with global stars like Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Sia, John Legend, and Coldplay have played a significant role in broadening his audience and integrating Afro-fusion into mainstream music. By working with renowned artists across various genres, he has introduced a wider global audience to the unique sounds of Afro-fusion, blending African rhythms with pop, R&B, and reggae influences. International collaborations is one of the ways Burna Boy Shocked The World.

Collaborations with artists such as Polo G, Future, and 21 Savage have helped him tap into the hip-hop scene, while his work with Damian Marley and Youssou N’Dour has strengthened his ties to reggae and African traditional music. Notably, his track “Loved By You” with Justin Bieber and the remix of “Own It” with Ed Sheeran and Stormzy both achieved critical acclaim and chart success. His feature on Sam Smith’s My Oasis further showcased his versatility, while working with Coldplay on Monsters You Made highlighted his ability to address global issues through music.

These collaborations have not only boosted Burna Boy’s international profile but have also elevated the visibility of African music globally, making him a key ambassador for the genre and helping Afro-fusion reach new heights on the world stage.

8. Sold-Out Arenas Worldwide

Burna Boy has set remarkable milestones in the global music scene by selling out some of the largest arenas across Europe, America, and Asia, becoming the first African artist to achieve this feat. His sold-out concert at London’s 80,000-capacity stadium in June 2023 was a monumental achievement, making him the first African artist to headline a concert of such magnitude in Europe. This came on the heels of his sold-out performance at Paris’s 40,000-capacity La Défense Arena, further cementing his place as a global icon. This is no 8 on how Burna Boy Shocked The World

In the U.S., Burna Boy made history as the first African artist to sell out the 21,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta in July 2022, followed by a groundbreaking performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden (MSG) in April 2022, with over 20,000 fans in attendance. He continued breaking records by selling out the 20,300-capacity Accor Arena in France—twice—in 2021 and 2022. Burna Boy also made waves in the Netherlands with a sold-out show at the 41,000-capacity GelreDome, establishing him as a dominant force in Europe’s stadium circuit.

9. He became the highest-grossing African performer

Burna Boy has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the highest-grossing African performer in history. This accolade highlights his exceptional success and influence on the global music stage. His record-breaking performances and sold-out shows across major arenas and stadiums have set him apart as a leading figure in the industry.

One of the key highlights of this achievement was his “I Told Them” tour, which set new standards for African artists. His concert at Boston’s TD Garden on March 2, 2024, generated an impressive $1.593 million, surpassing his previous record at Madison Square Garden in 2022. This performance not only underlined his status as a top-tier performer but also showcased his ability to command significant revenue from his live shows.

The success of the “I Told Them” tour, which spanned 16 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, further cemented Burna Boy’s position as a global powerhouse. The tour sold over 124,706 tickets, with total revenue reaching approximately $11.6 million. This financial success reflects the immense popularity and demand for his music worldwide.

10. Iconic Rolling Stone recognition

At no 10, Burna Boy Shocked The World. In 2023, Burna Boy was ranked among the 200 greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone, further cementing his status as a global music icon. This recognition is a testament to his artistry and the impact he has made in reshaping the perception of African music worldwide.