Nigerian superstar Burna Boy cemented his place in Grammy history on Sunday night with a show-stopping performance at the 2024 awards ceremony.
Paving The Way
The African giant became the first ever Afrobeats artist to take the hallowed Grammy stage, opening up doors for other African talents to follow in his footsteps.
Clad in a dazzling red coat, Burna Boy kicked off his medley with his song “On Fire” before segueing into his nominated track “City Boys.”
He was then joined on stage by R&B icon Brandy for their duet “Sitting On Top of the World,” which samples Brandy’s classic 1998 hit “Top of the World.” Rapper 21 Savage rounded out the epic performance wearing head-to-toe red leather.
Making His Mark
Burna Boy’s history-making set comes after years of steadily rising fame. His 2018 album “Outside” was critically acclaimed, earning him global recognition.
Last year, his single “Last Last” became his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 54. And now in 2024, “City Boys” marks his first ever Grammy nomination for Best African Music Performance.
Although he didn’t take home the prize last night, Burna Boy thrilled audiences with his Grammy debut. His performance is a testament to the growing popularity of Afrobeats music worldwide.
Opening Doors
By stepping onto music’s biggest stage, Burna Boy has kicked open doors for other African artists to potentially follow suit in the future.
“It just goes to show that anything is possible,” Burna Boy told reporters backstage after his acclaimed performance.
As Afrobeats continues to penetrate mainstream Western markets, we can undoubtedly expect more African Grammy nominees and performers in the years ahead. For now, Burna Boy can proudly claim his place in Grammy history!
