Burna Boy’s historic firsts that propelled Afrobeats onto the world stage

Burna Boy’s “African Giant” nickname arose in 2019 after a dispute over the size of his name on Coachella’s promotional poster, and later became the title and identity of his breakthrough album. In 2026, he performed at the NFL’s first regular-season game in France and became the first Nigerian artist to present an award at the Ballon d’Or. He also took part in the first halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final, performed at the Grammy Awards with Brandy and 21 Savage, and set concert milestones in the United States and the United Kingdom. Other major appearances included the UEFA Champions League final opening ceremony and the NBA All-Star Game halftime show with Tems and Rema.