Grammy organizers claim that Burna Boy is the biggest African artist

According to the Recording Academy, which organizes the Grammy Awards, Nigerian singer Damini Ogulu, also known as Burna Boy, is the only Afrobeats artist or African musician who is “bigger.”

The claim was made by the Academy in a statement that was posted on its website on Saturday. The statement congratulated Burna Boy and the other nominees for the newly established Best African Music Performance Grammy in 2024.

With collaborations with “global stars such as Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber,” according to the Grammys, Burna Boy is “firmly in his imperial era.” This year, he also achieved his first UK No. 1 album with “the classic hip-hop influenced I Told Them…, featuring appearances from 21 Savage, J. Cole, RZA, and GZA.”

The Academy said, “Burna Boy is the biggest celebrity in Afrobeats and possibly all of Africa. His albums Twice as Tall and African Giant received two consecutive GRAMMY nominations for Best Global Album. He has also worked with well-known artists like Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran.”

According to the Daily Post, Burna Boy’s song “City Boys” is up for a first-time Grammy nomination in the Best African Music Performance category.

“City Boys” will compete for the prize alongside “Unavailable” by Davido and Musa Keys, “Rush” by Ayra Starr, and “Amapiano,” by Asake and Olamide, and “Water,” by Tyla.

In addition, Burna Boy received nominations for three other categories: Best Melodic Rap (“Sitting On Top of the World” featuring 21 Savage), Best Global Music Album (“I Told Them”), and Best Global Music Performance (“Alone”).