Burna Boy becomes first African singer to hit 2bn streams in UK

Grammy Award-winning Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has become the first African artiste to hit 2 billion streams mark in the United Kingdom.

Burna Boy was presented with a Brit Plaque at his sold-out show at Koko Camden in London, the United Kingdom on Monday night, in recognition of the feat.

The milestone came barely a few weeks after he was presented with a Brit 1 billion streams plaque at his sold-out show at the London Stadium in June.

In a viral video where he was receiving the Brit 2 billion streams plaque, Burna Boy said: ‘I fought for it.

“Thank you very much. I appreciate you. Ehen, now that’s it. You’ve to fight for your right.”

One of the presenters inferred: “You already have it. You don’t need to fight.”

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“No. You know, we have to fight for our rights,” Burna Boy responded.

The ‘African Giant’ crooner has continued to grab headlines on account of his scintillating performances across Europe and other parts of the globe.

In the first half of the year, he has performed in major concerts selling out venues in UK, cementing his global appeal and acceptance as “Afrobeat Ambassador”.

33-year-old Burna Boy hails from Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The ‘City Boy’ crooner rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing ‘Like to Party’, the lead single from his debut studio album, ‘L.I.F.E’ released in 2013.

His fourth studio album, ‘African Giant’, which was released in July 2019, won Album of the Year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards.

Burna Boy released his fifth studio album, ‘Twice as Tall’, in August 2020 and won Best World Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

Burna Boy’s sixth studio album, ‘Love, Damini’, was released in July 2022 and became the highest debut of an African album on the Billboard 200 chart.

It also became the highest-charted African album in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and France.

In October 2022, Burna Boy was awarded the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic plaque for his achievements in music.

The Star