Burna Boy becomes first African artiste to hit 2 billion streams in UK

Burna Boy, the Afro-fusion artiste, has become the first African to hit two billion streams across platforms in the United Kingdom.

The Grammy-winning singer recently performed at the Koko Camden in the UK to mark his fifth anniversary of ‘African Giant‘, his fourth studio album.

At the concert, Burna Boy thrilled the attending fans with some throwback hits like ‘Like To Party’, ‘Amorawa’, and ‘Tonight & Masculine’.

The show was sponsored by YouTube Music Nights.

After performing at the prestigious venue, Burna Boy was presented with the Brit plaque for two billion streams.

While receiving the plaque, Burna Boy appreciated the British representatives for the recognition, adding 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 milestone came about a month after he was presented with a Brit 1 billion streams plaque at his sold-out show 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 Annual Grammy Awards.

In December 2023, the project was listed on Rolling Stone’s ‎‘500 greatest albums of all time‘. 

‘African Giant’ secured the number 330 spot, making it the best Nigerian album on Rolling Stone’s list.

It features hit tracks such as ‘On The Low’, ‘Gbona’, ‘Dangote’, ‘Killin Dem’, ‘Spiritual’, ‘Gum Body’, Anybody’, ‘Collateral Damage’ and ‘Wetin Man Go Do’.

Born Damini Ogulu, Burna Boy started to gain fame after releasing ‘Like to Party’, the lead single from his debut album ‘L.I.F.E’ (2013).

In 2021, the Afro-fusion singer set a record in Nigeria after his fifth album ‘Twice As Tall (2020)’ won the ‘best world music album’ category at the Grammys.

Burna Boy claimed he brought the Afrobeats genre to the mainstream in 2020.

He also mentioned 2Baba, Timaya, D’banj, Larry Gaaga, and Wande Coal as the artistes who impacted his career.