Burna Boy, an Afro-fusion artist, has been the first African to reach two billion streams across several platforms in the United Kingdom.
The Grammy-winning artist recently performed at Koko Camden in the UK to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his fourth studio album, ‘African Giant’.
Burna Boy entertained the concertgoers with vintage favorites such as ‘Like To Party’, ‘Amorawa’, and ‘Tonight & Masculine’.
YouTube Music Nights sponsored the show.
After performing at the prestigious venue, Burna Boy was awarded the Brit plaque for two billion streams.
Burna Boy expressed gratitude to British lawmakers for the recognition, stating that “I fought for it”.
“Thank you very much. That is my right. You have to fight for your right you know,” he said.
Burna Boy has become the first African Artiste to hit 2 billion streams in the UK. pic.twitter.com/xRiJ0kJ2cD
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) July 16, 2024
The achievement occurred just a month after he was honored with a Brit 1 billion streaming trophy at his sold-out event at the London Stadium.
Released in July 2019, ‘African Giant’ won ‘album of the year’ at the All Africa Music Awards and was nominated for ‘best world music album’ at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
In December 2023, the project was included in Rolling Stone’s ‘500 best albums of all time’.
Rolling Stone ranked ‘African Giant’ at number 330, making it the best Nigerian album on their list.
It includes hit songs including ‘On The Low’, ‘Gbona’, ‘Dangote’, ‘Killin Dem’, ‘Spiritual’, ‘Gum Body’, Anybody’, ‘Collateral Damage’, and ‘Wetin Man Go Do’.
Burna Boy, born Damini Ogulu, rose to prominence after releasing the lead track ‘Like to Party’ off his debut album ‘L.I.F.E’ (2013).
The Afro-fusion musician made a Nigerian record in 2021 when his fifth album, ‘Twice As Tall (2020)’, won the Grammy for ‘best world music album’.
Burna Boy claimed to have pushed the Afrobeats music to the mainstream in 2020.
He credited 2Baba, Timaya, D’banj, Larry Gaaga, and Wande Coal as artists who influenced his career.
