Burna Boy, the popular Nigerian musician, has been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People for 2024.
This award honors people whose artistic and cultural contributions have a lasting influence.
Singer Angelique Kidjo, who has won multiple Grammy Awards, wrote a heartfelt ode to the Nigerian icon: “I used to advise young African musicians that they shouldn’t imitate American musicians when they came to me for guidance about ten years ago. Rather, they ought to present to the world the astounding depth and magnificence of our traditional African music and culture. Says she.
Burna Boy is a prime example of this idea. He is a disciple of Afrobeats pioneer Fela Kuti, infused with the vitality of Nigerian folk rhythms and refined by the skills of great African musicians.
Burna Boy is an inspiration as much as a musical powerhouse. Now that a new generation of African musicians has an idol, Afrobeats is likely to continue to take the world by storm in the future.
Skepta and Damson Idris, two British-Nigerian celebrities, are included in Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of 2024.
His distinct sound and catchy beats have helped him to accomplish several historic firsts. He broke records in 2024 by being the first Afrobeats performer to play at the Grammy Awards, and in 2023 he became the first African artist to sell out a US stadium.
