Beyond selling out private concerts where they gave enthralling performances, some Nigerian music stars have gone ahead of others to actually place the country atop the world map with their crafts at global events.
They include:
Dbanj at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2013 closing ceremony
Singer Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as Dbanj, is what some may refer to as an OG before IG (an abbreviation that stands for Original Gangster before Instagram).
He’s undoubtedly one of the few Nigerian musical artistes who gained popularity abroad before Davido, Wizkid, and several others.
Fondly referred to as the ‘Kokomaster’, the co-founder of the now-defunct Mohits Records, performed at the AFCON 2013 closing ceremony held in South Africa where he sang his 2012 hit song, ‘Top of the World’.
Prior to that, to that, D’banj performed at the Hackney Weekend on June 23, to celebrate the 2012 Summer Olympics, which was headlined by Jay-Z and Rihanna.
On April 18, 2015, Bangalee also performed at the Global citizen earth day a Free Concert on Capitol Hill (Washington Monument Grounds) for the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day put on by the Global Poverty Project and the Earth Day Network.
Davido at FIFA 2022 World Cup closing ceremony in Qatar
In 2021, Davido Adeleke aka Davido had the internet talking after he made an appearance in the sequel to the iconic movie, “Coming to America”
The sequel, which was anticipated by many since when the first part was released in 1988, took 33 years for the producers to release part 2.
Davido performs his song “Assurance” in a scene of the movie as Eddie Murphy reprises his iconic role as Prince Akeem in the long-awaited sequel.
On December 18, 2022, Davido, who had been away from social media activities after the demise of his first son Ifeanyi, made his second official appearance at the football tournament.
He gave a thrilling performance of ‘Better Together (Hayya Hayya)’ alongside Aisha and others during the closing ceremony of the FIFA 2022 World Cup, at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, just north of Doha, Qatar.
On Monday, June 19, 2023, O.B.O yet imprinted Nigerian on the global scene with his remarkable performance in front of the Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris, and other notables at the Juneteenth 2023 celebration.
The event held at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved Black witnessed the DMW boss give an electrifying performance of several of his biggest hits from his fourth studio album, including Feel, Unavailable among others.
Tiwa Savage at King Charles III’s coronation concert in Windsor Castle, England
Award-winning songstress Tiwatope Savage joined other performers to thrill distinguished guests at the 2022 CAF awards.
Savage performed two of her hit songs, ‘Koroba’ and ‘All Over.’
The event, which had eminent sports personalities and dignitaries in Rabat, Morocco, also had Nigeria’s Davido presenting an award at the 2022 edition of the major African sporting event.
Recently, she sealed her position as the ‘Queen of Afrobeats’ as she made history with her mesmerising performance at the coronation concert of King Charles III t which was viewed by several millions around the globe.
Tiwa performed live at King Charles III’s coronation concert which took place in Windsor Castle on Sunday evening May 7, 2023.
Kizz Daniel at the Qatar 2022 FIFA Fan Festival
After speaking his appearance at the World Cup into existence, the music sensation, Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe aka Kizz Daniel put up an incredible performance of his massive hit track, “BUGA” at the Qatar 2022 FIFA Fan Festival mainstage as part of the FIFA Sound lineup, over the 29-day tournament at Doha’s Al Bidda Park.
Vado’s breathtaking performance of his globally hit song, ‘BUGA’, had everyone in the audience, regardless of race or color, dancing, singing, and clamoring for an encore!
Kizz Daniel, who launched his performance with the popular song “Cough “ODO,” which had the dancing crowd in frenzy, subsequently paid tribute to the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the father of Afrobeat, by giving a brief rendition of the classic song “Lady.”
Rema in three Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad
Rema trended for days in May when he embarked ‘Calm Down India Tour’ with musical events in Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.
The Rema Calm Down India Tour which was part of his world tour, kicked off on May 12th at JLN Stadium in New Delhi. He then headed to Mumbai on May 13th at NSCI Dome and wrapped up his tour in Hyderabad on May 14th at Prism.
When he dropped his first EP, everyone was calling him an Indian boy because his music sounded Indian and Arabic but it eventually paid off as it effortlessly landed him in the world’s most populous country making him the first African musical artiste to achieve such a feat.
The 23-year-old Afro-Rave artiste took the stage in Mumbai on May 13 at Dome, NSCI SVP Stadium in Worli.
He began his Mumbai concert by waving the Indian Tricolour amidst deafening cheers from fans.
Throughout the show, Rema interacted with the massive audience while they chanted ‘Rema, we want to party!’
He was also among the trio of Nigerian musical stars to perform an Afrobeats-themed halftime show at the 2023 NBA All-Star game in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 19
Burna Boy at UEFA Champions League final in Turkey
Grammy-award-winning singer, Burna Boy thrilled fans at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, just before the highly anticipated match between Manchester City and Inter Milan at the UEFA Champions League final on June 10.
He performed some of his hit records including global chart-topping ‘Last Last’ and ‘It’s Plenty’.
The epic performance was a sight to behold, with dancers highlighting the stage and waving bright flags that radiated an essence of Africa, accompanied by mesmerising drummers wearing vibrant African-inspired patterns, prints, and colors.
Earlier in the year, Burna performed at the NBA All-Star Game. He was among the trio of Nigerian musical stars to perform an Afrobeats-themed halftime show at the 2023 NBA All-Star game in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 19.
Tems Oscar nomination, ‘show-stealing’ outfit to ceremony
Grammy-winning singer by extension courtesy her feature on Future’s ‘Wait For U’ which also featured Drake, Temilade Openiyi aka Tems joined Burna Boy and Rema as the three Nigerian musical acts to perform an Afrobeats-themed halftime show at the 2023 NBA All-Star game in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 19, 2023.
She made history in January as she became the first Nigerian artist to be nominated at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts popularly known as the Oscars. Her contribution to “Lift Me Up”, the original soundtrack from Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, performed by Rihanna was nominated for best original song at the 2023 Oscars
During the award ceremony, Tems made headlines with her spectacular and infamous Oscar dress, a puffy white gown that wrapped around the back of her head.
Though considered one of the best-dressed stars at the Oscars, Tems dress, however, garnered mixed reactions among the online community with some arguing she was disrespectful to those behind with her dressing, noting she obstructed the view of those behind her.
Albeit, she was showered more encomiums for stealing the show with her angelic look.
Patoranking at the Qatar 2022 FIFA Fan Festival
The reggae and dance hall singer, Patoranking, has thrilled thousands of his fans with his recent performance at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The popular artiste joined the likes of Kizz Daniel who performed at the fan festival.
The singer who performed on Monday, November 28 at the Al Bidda Park began his performance with one of his popular songs titled “No Kissing Babe”.
Patoranking had arrived in Qatar on Sunday night where he was welcomed by several citizens in the country. He was also shocked to spot his mother who he claimed he hadn’t seen for five years among those who came to welcome him.
