Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has etched his name in music history, becoming the first African musician to achieve 2 billion streams across platforms in the United Kingdom.
It marks a significant milestone for African music on the international stage, while he cements his status as a global music powerhouse
The announcement came during a special performance at London’s Koko Camden, where Burna Boy celebrated the fifth anniversary of his groundbreaking album “African Giant.”
At the event, sponsored by YouTube Music Nights, the Afro-fusion star was presented with a Brit plaque commemorating his 2 billion streams.
Upon receiving the recognition, Burna Boy expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you very much. That is my right. You have to fight for your right, you know.” This achievement follows closely on the heels of another milestone – just a month prior, he was awarded a Brit 1 billion streams plaque at his sold-out London Stadium show.
“African Giant,” released in July 2019, has been a catalyst for Burna Boy’s international success. The album won ‘Album of the Year’ at the All Africa Music Awards and received a Grammy nomination for ‘Best World Music Album.’ In a testament to its lasting impact, Rolling Stone recently ranked it number 330 on their prestigious ‘500 Greatest Albums of All Time’ list, making it the highest-placed Nigerian album.
Burna Boy’s influence extends beyond streaming numbers. In 2021, his album “Twice As Tall” clinched the Grammy for ‘Best World Music Album,’ marking a historic win for Nigerian music. The artist has been vocal about his role in bringing Afrobeats to the global mainstream, while also acknowledging the influence of predecessors like 2Baba, Timaya, D’banj, Larry Gaaga, and Wande Coal on his career.
With this latest achievement, Burna Boy reaffirms his position at the forefront of the African music revolution, proving that the continent’s sounds are not just crossing borders but dominating charts worldwide.
