History of Burna Boy in Timeline
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".
July 1991: Birth of Damini Ogulu
On 2 July 1991, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy) was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
July 1991: Burna Boy's birth
On July 1991, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally as Burna Boy, was born.
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".
2008: Studies at the University of Sussex
From 2008 to 2009, Burna Boy studied media technology at the University of Sussex.
2009: Studies at Oxford Brookes University
From 2009 to 2010, Burna Boy studied media communications and culture at Oxford Brookes University.
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.
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.
2014: Nomination for Best Album of the Year
In 2014, Burna Boy's album L.I.F.E was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
January 2015: Recording of "Acting Bad"
In January 2015, Burna Boy recorded the song "Acting Bad", which was later leaked in May 2016 without his permission, leading to a dispute with the producer.
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.
May 2016: Unauthorized Song Upload and Dispute with Producer
On May 2 2016, the song titled "Acting Bad" was uploaded online without any prior announcement, leading to Burna Boy clarifying that the track was recorded in January 2015 and leaked without permission and a dispute with the producer.
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.
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.
2018: Relationship with Stefflon Don
In 2018, Burna Boy started dating British rapper Stefflon Don.
January 2019: Performs at Coachella
On 3 January 2019, Burna Boy was announced as one of the artists performing at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. He also won four awards at the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival, including African Artiste of the Year.
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.
June 2019: Wins Best International Act at BET Awards
On 24 June 2019, Burna Boy won Best International Act at the 2019 BET Awards.
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.
July 2019: Release of African Giant Album
On 26 July 2019, Burna Boy's fourth studio album, African Giant, was released.
November 2019: Controversy over 'Africans Unite' concert and cancellation
In November 2019, Burna Boy was announced as the headliner for the 'Africans Unite' concert in South Africa, but his previous statements condemning xenophobia led to public criticism and the eventual cancellation of the concert due to safety concerns.
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.
2019: Vow not to visit South Africa
Following the 2019 Johannesburg riots in South Africa that targeted Africans, Burna Boy vowed not to visit South Africa again if the government did not take necessary action to address the issue.
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.
April 2020: Performs at One World: Together at Home
In April 2020, Burna Boy performed in the One World: Together at Home special.
June 2020: Featured on "Jerusalema" Remix
On 19 June 2020, Burna Boy was featured on the remix of Master KG's viral song "Jerusalema".
July 2020: Featured on Sam Smith's "My Oasis"
On 30 July 2020, Burna Boy was featured on Sam Smith's single, "My Oasis".
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.
November 2020: Nominated for Grammy Award
On 24 November 2020, Burna Boy's album Twice as Tall was nominated for Best Global Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
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.
March 2021: Wins Grammy Award
On 15 March 2021, Burna Boy won the Grammy award for Best Global Music album for Twice As Tall. Burna Boy's song "Destiny" was included in the playlist at the inauguration of Joe Biden.
March 2021: Featured on Justin Bieber's "Loved by You"
On 19 March 2021, Burna Boy was featured on Justin Bieber's song "Loved by You".
September 2021: Featured on Jon Bellion's "I Feel It"
On 17 September 2021, Burna Boy was featured on Jon Bellion's single "I Feel It".
2021: Wins Best International Act at BET Awards
In 2021, Burna Boy won Best International Act at the BET Awards for the third time.
2021: Named One of Pitchfork's Most Important Artists
In 2021, Pitchfork named Burna Boy one of the most important artists of their first 25 years.
June 2022: Performs in Zimbabwe
On 4 June 2022, Burna Boy performed at the Belgravia Sports Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe, where he allegedly refused money to wear a ZANU-PF scarf.
June 2022: Nightclub shooting incident
On June 8 2022, Burna Boy's security escorts allegedly shot and wounded two people at a nightclub in Lagos after one of the victims declined Burna Boy's invitation to join him in the VIP section.
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.
October 2022: Awarded Member of the Order of the Federal Republic
In October 2022, Burna Boy was awarded the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic plaque for his achievements in music.
December 2022: First concert in Jamaica
On 18 December 2022, Burna Boy held his first concert in Jamaica, at the Jamaica National Stadium.
2022: Potential Reconciliation with AKA
In 2022, AKA indicated that he no longer harbored issues with Burna Boy, suggesting a potential reconciliation between the artists.
2022: End of Relationship with Stefflon Don
In 2022, Burna Boy and British rapper Stefflon Don ended their relationship.
2022: Named Best Solo Act in the World by NME
In 2022, Burna Boy was named the "Best Solo Act in the World" by NME.
January 2023: Denial of Nightclub Shooting Rumour
On January 1 2023, during the Lagos leg of his Love, Damini tour, Burna Boy denied the rumour that he was involved in a nightclub shooting, as well as rumours about his mother being a former backup dancer for Fela Kuti.
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.
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.
2023: Named as one of the people shaping the global fashion industry
In 2023, BOF named Burna Boy as one of the people shaping the global fashion industry.
2023: Ranked on Rolling Stone's list and wins BET Award
In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Burna Boy number 197 on its list of the 200 greatest singers of all time. Burna Boy also won his fourth Best International Act at the 2023 BET Awards. His song "Last Last" won Afrobeats Single of the Year and Song of the Year at The Headies 2023.
February 2024: Performs at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards
On 4 February 2024, Burna Boy performed "Sittin' on Top of the World" at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, alongside Brandy and 21 Savage.
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.
December 2024: Rumors with Chloe Bailey Surface
In December 2024, rumors surfaced about Burna Boy’s relationship with American R&B singer Chloe Bailey after she spent time with him during Lagos' 'Detty December' celebrations.
February 2025: Dating Chloe Bailey Confirmed
On February 7 2025, Premium Times Nigeria confirmed that Burna Boy and Chloe Bailey were dating after they were spotted on a Valentine’s-themed dinner date in Lagos.
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.
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