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Burna Boy makes history with sold-out London Stadium gig Burna Boy makes history with sold-out London Stadium gig
(about 2 hours later)
The gig probably won't be the Last Last time we see Burna Boy headlining a UK stadiumThe gig probably won't be the Last Last time we see Burna Boy headlining a UK stadium
Burna Boy made history over the weekend when he became the first African artist to headline a stadium show in the UK.Burna Boy made history over the weekend when he became the first African artist to headline a stadium show in the UK.
A sold-out crowd of 60,000 fans screamed the Grammy award-winner's Afrobeats lyrics back to him at the London Stadium.A sold-out crowd of 60,000 fans screamed the Grammy award-winner's Afrobeats lyrics back to him at the London Stadium.
And he didn't disappoint with his two-hour set - bringing out famous friends like Stormzy and Dave on a giant merry-go-round to perform alongside him.And he didn't disappoint with his two-hour set - bringing out famous friends like Stormzy and Dave on a giant merry-go-round to perform alongside him.
Afrobeats - a mix of African and Western influences - has seen a massive rise in popularity over recent years thanks to the likes of Burna Boy and Wizkid.Afrobeats - a mix of African and Western influences - has seen a massive rise in popularity over recent years thanks to the likes of Burna Boy and Wizkid.
The pair, two of Nigeria's biggest stars, have headlined some of the world's major music festivals but it was Burna Boy who took it to another level on Saturday night.The pair, two of Nigeria's biggest stars, have headlined some of the world's major music festivals but it was Burna Boy who took it to another level on Saturday night.
Fans danced in the aisles, creating a carnival like atmosphere as he bounced around the stage in a bright orange jumpsuit.Fans danced in the aisles, creating a carnival like atmosphere as he bounced around the stage in a bright orange jumpsuit.
One of them was Kojo Amankwah, 27, who says he travelled 3,000 miles from Ghana to be at the historic gig.One of them was Kojo Amankwah, 27, who says he travelled 3,000 miles from Ghana to be at the historic gig.
"I loved seeing how multi-racial the crowd was, united by the power of Burna Boy's music. It was unlike anything I've ever seen," he tells Newsbeat."I loved seeing how multi-racial the crowd was, united by the power of Burna Boy's music. It was unlike anything I've ever seen," he tells Newsbeat.
"It's something the greatest performers of all time like Beyoncé and Michael Jackson have been able to achieve. And now Burna Boy's done it.""It's something the greatest performers of all time like Beyoncé and Michael Jackson have been able to achieve. And now Burna Boy's done it."
Kojo Amankwah travelled 3,000 miles to see Burna Boy liveKojo Amankwah travelled 3,000 miles to see Burna Boy live
As well as Stormzy and Dave, Burna Boy also brought out big names like J Hus and Jamaican vocalist Popcaan as part of the star-studded gig.As well as Stormzy and Dave, Burna Boy also brought out big names like J Hus and Jamaican vocalist Popcaan as part of the star-studded gig.
But Kojo says the fact he had no warm-up acts shows how far Afrobeats has come.But Kojo says the fact he had no warm-up acts shows how far Afrobeats has come.
"When you go for concerts, usually there's a co-headliner, Burna Boy and his band didn't need any of that," he says."When you go for concerts, usually there's a co-headliner, Burna Boy and his band didn't need any of that," he says.
"To know he has that much star power is something we've never seen before in African music.""To know he has that much star power is something we've never seen before in African music."
Burna Boy will also take Afrobeats to the football this weekend, when he performs at the Champions League final in Istanbul. 'It's for the people'
But of these sold-out events are a stark contrast to the star's humble beginnings. Someone else who was at the gig was Cata Hopkins - who was so excited that she was at the stadium for 10:00 GMT.
Kojo says he went to a Burna Boy show in 2014 in Ghana when there were only about 14 people in the audience. "It's so hard to even put it into words, the energy was just wild the whole entire day," she says.
"He didn't actually come out that night, maybe because of the few people. I never thought he would get here so soon. "I met so many friends and other people that were there to have a good time and I think the best thing about the atmosphere was just how positive it was.
"Afrobeats is the hottest genre in the world right now and the world needed a new sound after Covid." "Everyone was just happy and everybody was there feeding off the amazing energy that Burna and his band bring to the performance."
Burna Boy brought out some big names, like Dave, for the sold-out concert Cata Hopkins made sure she got to the London Stadium early for the gig
Selling out a UK stadium is seen as a massive moment for the genre, which has been appearing on charts across the world and taking over TikTok dance challenges. Selling out a UK stadium has been hailed as a massive moment for the genre, which has been appearing on charts across the world and taking over TikTok dance challenges.
In 2019, Afrobeats artists collectively spent 86 weeks in the Official Chart Top 40, which was up from 24 weeks in 2017. It's also been embraced by some of the world's biggest stars - with Beyoncé and Drake featuring Afrobeats artists on their albums.
And since then it's been embraced by some of the world's biggest stars - with Beyoncé and Drake featuring artists on their albums. Burna Boy's also dominated the Official UK Afrobeats Chart, which launched on BBC Radio 1Xtra in 2020.
TBaze is an Afrobeats musician in the UK who feels inspired by Burna Boy's success and the rise of his sound. His hit Last Last spent a whopping 13 consecutive weeks at number one - the longest time permitted before a track is retired from the top spot.
"It's inspiring to see how far we've come as a genre. It's Afrobeats to the world, it's becoming the sound that makes people happy," he says. And he's also taking Afrobeats to the football this weekend, when he performs at the Champions League final in Istanbul.
"It's not even just about the artist, musicians or fans. It's for the people.
"The crowd represents a diverse community and it's cross-cultural. We're learning about different cultures through this experience."
Afrobeats: 'The sound that's penetrated around the world'Afrobeats: 'The sound that's penetrated around the world'
Listen back to the latest Official UK Afrobeats Chart ShowListen back to the latest Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show
Typewriter artist surprised by Burna Boy's responseTypewriter artist surprised by Burna Boy's response
TBaze is an Afrobeats musician in the UK who feels inspired by Burna Boy's success and the rise of his sound.
"It's not even just about the artist, musicians or fans. It's for the people," he says.
"The crowd represents a diverse community and it's cross-cultural. We're learning about different cultures through this experience."
Burna Boy brought out some big names, like Dave, for the sold-out concert
Looking ahead to the future of the genre, TBaze says the genre is growing because of social media.Looking ahead to the future of the genre, TBaze says the genre is growing because of social media.
"A lot of artists have to think about how the music relates to things like TikTok dance challenges. It could be Instagram reels or freestyle challenges."A lot of artists have to think about how the music relates to things like TikTok dance challenges. It could be Instagram reels or freestyle challenges.
"That accessibility is essential and I think about that when I'm writing a song "That accessibility is essential and I think about that when I'm writing a song.
"In future, I'd imagine people will be fusing Afrobeats into their genres even more.""In future, I'd imagine people will be fusing Afrobeats into their genres even more."
Follow Newsbeat on Twitter and YouTube.Follow Newsbeat on Twitter and YouTube.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
AfrobeatsAfrobeats
DaveDave
NigeriaNigeria
LondonLondon
StormzyStormzy
GhanaGhana
African MusicAfrican Music
MusicMusic