Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Burna Boy

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Burna Boy

Discover the career path of Burna Boy, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, is a prominent Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to fame in 2012 with his hit song "Like to Party" from his debut album L.I.F.E. (2013). Burna Boy further solidified his career by signing with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group in 2017. His major label debut, the album Outside, was released in 2018, marking a significant milestone in his career.

1972: Sample of Fela Kuti's "Shakara"

In 2019, Burna Boy recorded "My Money, My Baby" which contains a sample of Fela Kuti's 1972 song "Shakara".

1998: "Sittin On Top Of The World" samples Brandy's "Top of the World"

In June 2023, Burna Boy released the single "Sittin On Top Of The World", which heavily samples Brandy's 1998 hit single "Top of the World".

2010: Internship at Rhythm 93.7 FM

In 2010, Burna Boy returned to Port Harcourt and took up a year-long internship at Rhythm 93.7 FM.

2011: Release of Burn Identity mixtape

In 2011, Burna Boy released his second mixtape Burn Identity.

2012: Release of "Like to Party"

In 2012, Burna Boy gained recognition after releasing "Like to Party", the lead single from his debut album.

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August 2013: Release of L.I.F.E Album

On 12 August 2013, Burna Boy's debut studio album, L.I.F.E, was released, selling 40,000 copies on the day of its release and peaking at number seven on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart later in August 2013.

2013: Release of L.I.F.E

In 2013, Burna Boy released his debut studio album L.I.F.E.

2014: Split from Aristokrat Records

In 2014, Burna Boy split from Aristokrat Records.

February 2015: Founded Spaceship Entertainment

In February 2015, Burna Boy founded the record label Spaceship Entertainment.

November 2015: Release of On a Spaceship

On 25 November 2015, Burna Boy's second studio album, On a Spaceship, was released.

September 2016: Release of Redemption EP

In September 2016, Burna Boy released his 7-track debut extended play, Redemption.

2017: Signing with Atlantic Records

In 2017, Burna Boy signed a record deal with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group.

January 2018: Features on "Sunshine Riptide" and Releases "Outside" Album

On 19 January 2018, Burna Boy was featured on Fall Out Boy's song "Sunshine Riptide", and on 26 January 2018, he released his third studio album, Outside.

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February 2018: "Outside" debuts on Billboard Reggae Albums chart

In February 2018, Burna Boy's album Outside debuted at number three on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

October 2018: Performs at O2 Academy Brixton and Named Spotify's Afro Hub Takeover Artist

On 7 October 2018, Burna Boy performed at London's O2 Academy Brixton. On 9 October 2018, he was announced as one of Spotify's new Afro Hub takeover artists and named YouTube's Artist on the Rise.

2018: Started Recording African Giant

In 2018, Burna Boy began recording his fourth studio album, African Giant.

2018: Release of Outside

In 2018, Burna Boy released his third studio album Outside, which became his major label debut.

March 2019: Releases Steel & Copper EP with DJDS

On 21 March 2019, Burna Boy released a 4-track collaborative EP with DJDS, titled Steel & Copper.

April 2019: Plans to release African Giant Revealed

In April 2019, Burna Boy first revealed plans to release his album African Giant and held a private listening session in Los Angeles.

July 2019: Announced as Apple Music Up Next artist

In July 2019, Burna Boy was announced as an Apple Music Up Next artist and recorded "Ja Ara E" for Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift soundtrack.

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July 2019: Release of African Giant Album

On 26 July 2019, Burna Boy's fourth studio album, African Giant, was released.

November 2019: Featured on Stormzy's "Own It" and sells out SSE Arena

On 22 November 2019, Burna Boy was featured on Stormzy's single, "Own It". In November 2019, he became the first Afrobeat artist to sell out the SSE Arena.

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2019: Wins BET Award and releases African Giant

In 2019, Burna Boy won Best International Act at the BET Awards and was named an Apple Music Up Next artist. He also released his fourth studio album, African Giant, in 2019, which later won Album of the Year.

2019: Grammy nominations from 2019-2023

In November 2023, Burna Boy was nominated for four Grammy awards, making him the first Nigerian to have nominations in five consecutive years, from 2019 to 2023.

August 2020: Releases Twice as Tall Album

On 14 August 2020, Burna Boy released his fifth studio album, Twice as Tall, which debuted at number one on the Billboard World Albums Chart.

2020: Relief fund for victims of #EndSARS

In 2020, Burna Boy set up a relief fund for victims of #EndSARS anti-police brutality protests.

2020: Wins African Artist of the Year and releases Twice as Tall

In 2020, Burna Boy won African Artist of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards, and released his fifth studio album Twice as Tall, which later won Best World Music Album at the Grammy Awards.

July 2022: Release of Love, Damini

In July 2022, Burna Boy released his sixth studio album Love, Damini, which became the highest debut Nigerian album on the Billboard 200 chart.

April 2023: Released "Mera Na" featuring Sidhu Moose Wala

In April 2023, Burna Boy released a song titled "Mera Na" featuring Sidhu Moose Wala, paying tribute to Sidhu. The song charted on various international charts.

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June 2023: Performs at UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show

On 10 June 2023, Burna Boy became the first artist from Africa to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick Off Show by Pepsi.

November 2024: "Higher" nominated for Grammy

In November 2024, Burna Boy's song "Higher" was nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

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July 2025: Release of "No Sign of Weakness" album

On July 10 2025, Burna Boy released his eighth studio album "No Sign of Weakness", featuring collaborations with Travis Scott, Mick Jagger, Stromae, and Shaboozey.

2025: Named one of GQ's Best-Dressed Men

In 2025, Burna Boy was named one of GQ's Best-Dressed Men.

2026: Wins Album of the Year at AFRIMA

At the 2026 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Burna Boy won Album of the Year for *No Sign of Weakness* and shared Best African Collaboration with Shallipopi.