Some of Afrobeats biggest exports like Davido, Rema and Burna Boy have taken the genre to a whole new level internationally.
While it has since established itself as the dominant sound in African music, full credit has to also go to the key players racking in the numbers and awards across and beyond the continent.
Davido:
In 2022, multi-award-winning singer, performer and record producer David Adeleke, know globally as ‘Davido’ performed at the closing ceremony of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar before the final match between Argentina and France.
OBO performed “(Hayya Hayya) Better Together” alongside Aisha at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, just north of Doha, in front of 88,966 spectators.
That performance marked the return of Davido to the limelight having an emotional break from the public eye following the tragic loss of his son, Ifeanyi, last
Rema:
Rema has since risen to become the leader of the next generation of Afrobeats superstars.
Rema, real name ‘Divine Ikubor’, made history as the first Nigerian artiste to perform at the Ballon d’Or ceremony after his appearance this Monday at France Football’s glamorous event.
The 23-year-old multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, rapper, and performer performed his 2022 global hit single ‘Calm Down’ as Lionel Messi received a record 8th Ballon d’Or at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
The remix with American singer Selena Gomez of which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100,[3] and led the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-setting 58 weeks until it was surpassed by Tyla’s ‘Water’ on October 21, 2023.
Calm Down is also widely regarded as one of the biggest Afrobeats songs of all time.
Burna Boy
Burna Boy became the first African artiste to perform at the finals of the UEFA Champions League.
The self acclaimed ‘African Giant’ performed at the 2022/23 Uefa Champions League (UCL) halftime show by Pepsi in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday, June 10, 2023.
The Grammy Award winner performed alongside Brazilian popstar Anitta at the 74,753 capacity, Atatürk Olympic Stadium.
Burna Boy, real name ‘Damini Ogulu’, delivered an electrifying performance, with his classy delivery of his hit song ‘Last Last;, as well a few other of his hit songs.