The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Burna Boy

  • Burna Boy to perform at New York’s Apollo Theatre

    Afro fusion singer and ‘Ye’ crooner, Burna Boy is set to rock the stage at the Apollo Theatre on Friday, April 5; for the New York stop of his ongoing cross country ‘African Giant’ Tour in America.

    The Apollo Theatre, one of the most iconic performance venues in the United States of America is reputed to be the performance platform that played a significant role in the emergence of R&B, jazz, & gospel music genres. “Showtime At The Apollo”, a nationally syndicated television variety show which helped to project African-American artistes to the mainstream audience was filmed and broadcasted weekly from the arena.

    Following the success of his 2018 ‘Outside’ album which had the smash hit single ‘YE’, Burna has gone to dominate the charts with other hit songs such as, ‘On the Low’, ‘Gbona’, and others.

    Burna Boy will be making history as the first Afrobeats artiste and African artiste to have a solo headline concert at the Apollo Theatre. Other world-acclaimed artistes that have headlined at the theatre include Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Prince, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Elton John and many more.

    Promoters of the event, Duke Concept, revealed that it took them two years to secure the venue and over 80 percent of the tickets already sold.

    “This is a very big deal for us and we’re very hopeful we’ll sell each of the 1500 seats available before the show,” says Osita Ugeh, CEO of the New York based entertainment company.

  • YouTube spotlights Burna Boy, celebrates Afrobeats

    YOUTUBE, on Tuesday, launched its Spotlight Story documentary on Nigerian Afro-fusion singer and songwriter Burna Boy.

    Famed for his 2012 single “Like to Party”, Burna Boy has become one of the leading musical voices on the African continent and an international YouTube sensation.

    The 18-minute documentary, which can be viewed here, was launched at an exclusive watch party and tells the story of the rise of AfroBeats and the role YouTube has played, through Burna Boy’s eyes. Additionally, the video sees Burna Boy and his manager and mum, Bose Ogulu sharing some of his coming-of-age stories.

    This is not the first time YouTube has built a story around Burna Boy. In October 2018, he got an ‘Artist on the Rise’ feature on the YouTube for Artists web page

    The video streaming service has played a major role in supporting African musicians and artists in sharing their voice, art and culture with the world. Not only does YouTube’s global reach help break artists, and bring African music to the world, its audience makes fan content that helps amplify the reach of African voices. Additionally, YouTube’s technology allows music producers to be inspired and to collaborate like never before.

    “Cultural movements grow and build on YouTube,” says Addy Awofisayo, YouTube Content Partnerships Manager, Sub Saharan Africa. “African music is the most recent example. For years now, YouTube has played an essential role in the discovery and development of African sound, exporting African music to listeners worldwide, enabling collaborations within the global and regional music industry, and accelerating the transition to digital for fans on the continent.”

    A large share of YouTube views for top African artists come from outside the continent, with international artists such as Kanye West, Beyonce, and Childish Gambino integrating African elements into their music, choreography, and visual style.

    “Ten years ago, African producers and artists had no easy way to hear, be inspired by, and influence sounds and artistry from around the world,” says Awofisayo. “YouTube technology changed that.”

    “It will continue to do so too,” she adds. “With the launch of products such as YouTube Go in 2018, more African artists will be able to share their work with an increasingly large audience, fully cementing their place on the global map.”

  • YouTube celebrates rise of Afrobeats, spotlight on Burna Boy

    YouTube on Tuesday launched its spotlight story documentary on Nigerian Afro-fusion singer and songwriter, Damini Ogulu, known professionally as Burna Boy.

    Addy Awofisayo, YouTube Content Partnerships Manager, Sub- Saharan Africa, said that Burna Boy had become one of the leading musical voices on the African continent and an international YouTube sensation.

    According to her, Burna Boy catapulted to fame with the 2012 release of his single “Like to Party’’.

    “The 18-minute documentary, which can be viewed, tells the story of the rise of Afrobeats and the role YouTube has played, through Burna Boy’s eyes.

    “In addition, the video sees Burna Boy and his Manager, Bose Ogulu (his mum), sharing some of his coming-of-age stories.

    “This is not the first time YouTube has built a story around Burna Boy. In October 2018, he got an ‘Artist on the Rise’ feature on the YouTube for Artists’ web page.

    “Video streaming service has played a major role in supporting African musicians and artistes in sharing their voice, art and culture with the world,’’ Awofisayo said in statement.

    READ ALSO: Burna Boy partners LA-based DJDs on new EP

    Awofisayo said that “not only does YouTube’s global reach helps break artistes, and brings African music to the world, its audience makes fan content that help amplify the reach of African voices.’’

    She said that YouTube’s technology allowed music producers to be inspired and to collaborate more.

    “Cultural movements grow and build on YouTube. African music is the most recent example.

    “For years now, YouTube has played an essential role in the discovery and development of African sound.

    “It has helped in exporting African music to listeners worldwide, enabling collaborations within the global and regional music industry and accelerating the transition to digital for fans on the continent,’’ Awofisayo said.

    She said that a large share of YouTube views for top African artistes came from outside the continent with international artistes such as Kanye West, Beyonce and Childish Gambino integrating African elements into their music, choreography, and visual style.

    According to her, 10 years ago, African producers and artistes had no easy way to hear, be inspired by and influence sounds and artistry from around the world.

    “YouTube technology changed all that. It will continue to do so too.

    “With the launch of products such as YouTube Go in 2018, more African artistes will be able to share their work with an increasingly large audience, fully cementing their place on the global map,’’ Awofisayo said.

  • Burna Boy partners LA-based DJDs on new EP

    AFROFUSION artist Burna Boy has teamed up with Los Angeles production duo DJDS to release their new collaborative EP via On A Spaceship/Our Bad Habit/Atlantic Records/Loma Vista.

    Announcing the collabo on Instagram, Burna Boy wrote, “Messed around and did an international collaborative EP with the baddest duo @djds.”

    The EP, titled, Steel & Copper, blends Burna Boy’s vocals into DJDs’ eclectic production that bridges pop, trap and global sounds. It is also the latest in a number of collaborations for DJDS, who worked with The Dream, Khalid, Empress Of and more on their genre-bending 2018 album, ‘Big Wave More Fire.’

    Burna Boy whose latest song, ‘Dangote’, is trending, will also be embarking on a US tour starting April 1. The tour will see him play across the country including shows in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, as well as both weekends of Coachella.

  • Burna Boy helms new Star commercial

    AFROBEAT sensational, Burna Boy has unveiled his new commercial with Star Lager Beer.

    The commercial, themed, “Come to the brighter side” shows the life of Burna Boy as a music superstar, seeing him in various elements; during a photo shoot and at a bar. The ad is also accompanied by a jingle composed and performed by the singer.

    As part of his role as the new ambassador of Star, the new campaign will also see Burna feature in the billboard ads.

    Speaking after the unveiling of the ad, Burna expressed his delight in starring in his first commercial,

    “I have never been much of an actor, so even though the cameras were on, what you see in this ad is me just being myself and celebrating the brighter side with Star. I’m thrilled to be part of the Star family and I can’t wait to partner with Star to create more magic and delight my fans.”

    The ‘Giant of Africa’ crooner has continued his remarkable success of 2018, releasing a new track, ‘Dangote’, which has enjoyed massive airplay.

  • Burna Boy explores hustling in ‘Dangote’ video

    In his new single, ‘Dangote’, Burna Boy has focused his art to social narratives in the country.

    Using Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man as a peg, the Afrofusion artiste addresses a number of the economic problems the youth in Nigeria face on a day-to-day basis and how they deal with it.

    In the video, some of the everyday happenings like commuting on public buses, hanging around street corners, and using laptops are portrayed.

    As Burna Boy sings about the hustle in true Fela style, one story segues to another, giving the link to Nigerian life. Also, aside the saxophone solos, scenes from Da New Afrika Shrine also feature towards the end of song, a tribute to Fela.

    Two things set apart this video, directed by Clarence Peters, from the others. Firstly, we see these stories told from the perspectives of the people living these lives, and we also see the consequences of their actions.

    Burna Boy is an Afro-fusion singer, songwriter and performing artiste signed to his record label Spaceship. Born Damini Ogulu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to parents Samuel and Bosede Ogulu, he is the only son and eldest of three children.

    On January 26, 2018, he released his fourth album, titled ‘Outside’. The 13-track album was preceded by singles “Sekkle Down” ft. J Hus, “Koni Baje,” and “Heaven’s Gate” ft. Lily Allen which were accompanied with a music video. The “Outside” album debuted on Billboard’s Reggae Albums Chart at the Number 3 spot topping his debut album “L.I.F.E” which peaked at number 7 on August 31, 2013.  He performed his first concert in Lagos “Burna Live” which acclaimed great success featuring a lot of Nigerian and international appearances on stage; he also won four awards at the 2018 SoundCity MVP awards ceremony in December 2018. He opened up the year 2019 with the hit single “Killin Dem” in collaboration with Zlatan.

  • Burna Boy explores hustling in ‘Dangote’ video

    In his new single, ‘Dangote’, Burna Boy has focused his art to social narratives in the country.

    Using Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man as a peg, the Afrofusion artiste addresses a number of the economic problems the youth in Nigeria face on a day-to-day basis and how they deal with it.

    In the video, some of the everyday happenings like commuting on public buses, hanging around street corners, and using laptops are portrayed.

    As Burna Boy sings about the hustle in true Fela style, one story segues to another, giving the link to Nigerian life. Also, aside the saxophone solos, scenes from Da New Afrika Shrine also feature towards the end of song, a tribute to Fela.

    Two things set apart this video, directed by Clarence Peters, from the others. Firstly, we see these stories told from the perspectives of the people living these lives, and we also see the consequences of their actions.

    Burna Boy is an Afro-fusion singer, songwriter and performing artiste signed to his record label Spaceship. Born Damini Ogulu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to parents Samuel and Bosede Ogulu, he is the only son and eldest of three children.

    On January 26, 2018, he released his fourth album, titled ‘Outside’. The 13-track album was preceded by singles “Sekkle Down” ft. J Hus, “Koni Baje,” and “Heaven’s Gate” ft. Lily Allen which were accompanied with a music video. The “Outside” album debuted on Billboard’s Reggae Albums Chart at the Number 3 spot topping his debut album “L.I.F.E” which peaked at number 7 on August 31, 2013.  He performed his first concert in Lagos “Burna Live” which acclaimed great success featuring a lot of Nigerian and international appearances on stage; he also won four awards at the 2018 SoundCity MVP awards ceremony in December 2018. He opened up the year 2019 with the hit single “Killin Dem” in collaboration with Zlatan.

  • Burna Boy is poster boy for Star beer

    Coming off a successful music career in 2018, Afrobeat sensation, Burna Boy has been named brand ambassador for Star Lager Beer.

    The announcement was made at the Circa, Lekki, Lagos on Sunday, January 27, 2018, where the artiste was hugely celebrated.

    Various clever visual cues and social media content were used to generate curiousity ahead of the official unveil.

    Star Lager had sponsored a series of A-list musical events in December, last year, one of which included the Burna Live Concert.

    Speaking on the announcement, Burna said: “Star is one of the most reputable brands in the country, and I am thrilled to be able to join the Star family. I often try to entertain and inspire with my music and this is a brand value I feel I can communicate with this new association with Star. I have always been a huge fan of the brand and I believe together we can inspire Nigerians to shine on to the brighter side of Life.”

    According to Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Jordi Borrut Bel, “We have always had strong interests in Nigerian music. The talent and the potential for greatness that our music industry possesses is truly immense. Burna Boy is, without a doubt, one of the biggest music exports from the shores of West Africa. With this new brand association, I believe we have the opportunity to use this relationship to tell the Star story and position Star as the leading brand for the aspirational Nigerian who believes he can take on the world. We are excited about this collaboration and we look forward to a very productive 2019 with Burna Boy.”

  • With four awards, Burna Boy trumps Davido and Wizkid at Soundcity

    Amidst controversy, Afro-fusion star, Damini Ogulu, also known as Burna Boy has started 2019 on a high note, carting home four awards at the SoundCity Awards which held on Saturday at the Eko Convention Centre of Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    He won in the categories of ‘Listeners choice’, ‘Best Male’, ‘Song of the year’ and in themuch-coveted ‘African Artist of the year’ category, beating Davido and Wizkid who only got one award each.

    Though he was not prsent to receive the awards he however, took to Instagram to celebrate and thank his fans.

    “4 awards,” he began.

    “Humbled and Honoured! Thank you @soundcityafrica for the constant support! All my fans for always having my back! Shouts to @thenamix and @peedipicasso for showing up on my behalf.

    “Many more in 2019! It’s been a hell of a ride.”

    Arguably one of the hottest African artiste of 2018, however, last week, Burna Boy was in the centre of the storm when he was largely criticised for calling out organisers of the Coachella Festival, saying his name was written in tiny fonts. He and Mr Eazi were two Nigerians that were listed in the California music festival which has Ariana Grande headlining.

    While some people thought Burna Boy was proud as he referred to himself as an ‘African Giant’ and should not have complained about the tiny fonts used to write his name, others praised his move for standing up on behalf of other African artistes against perceived maltreatment from some westerners.

  • BURNA BOY SHUTS DOWN EKO CONVENTION WITH STAR LAGER

    It was a night of fun as Burna Boy shut down Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Thousands of music fans thronged the venue  to watch the epic performances at the Burna Live Concert.

    The concert also witnessed performances by artistes like Davido, Wizkid, Tuface, D’banj, Timaya, Duncan Mighty, and Patoranking with support from DJ Consequence and Dj Spinall.

    The show which was anchored by popular hype men Shoddy and Jimmy, saw Burna Boy mesmerize the audience while letting out hit tracks from his rich collection including, Heaven’s Gate, Yawa, Like To Party and a host of many others.

    Supported by Nigeria Breweries and true to its “Shine On” tagline, Star Lager Beer added some spice to the event with its Star corner.

    Speaking on Star Lager’s sponsorship of the concert, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Emmanuel Oriakhi said; “Innovation is what drives Star Lager as the brand is always at the forefront making beer drinking easier and fun in every space.”

    According to him, “The innovation approach is geared at breaking new grounds for consumers to enjoy Star Lager. Also, Nigerian music has over the years showcased its progressive and extremely expressive streak. This explains why we have this rich assemblage of Nigerian music stars who push boundaries and do things differently like Star Lager Beer.”