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Burna Boy, the acclaimed Nigerian Afro-fusion artist, took the stage for his debut performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Notably, Burna Boy’s representatives emphasized in a pre-Grammy press release that he is the first Afro-fusion artist to grace the Grammy stage, a distinction that sets him apart in the realm of global music.
While Burna Boy is commonly associated with the widely recognized genre of Afrobeats, he has consistently sought to distinguish himself by categorizing his music as Afro-fusion. This move is reflective of the diverse influences present in his sound, incorporating elements from highlife, hip-hop, R&B, and more. The press release also highlighted that other artists, such as Ghanaian singer Amaarae, have embraced the Afro-fusion label for their own musical creations.
Burna Boy is the ONLY African artist featured on the cover of the 2024 Official #GRAMMYs Playlist! pic.twitter.com/e6d64eGkC1
— benny. (@benny7gg) February 3, 2024
The Grammy Awards, hosted by South African comedian Trevor Noah, featured a humorous nod to Burna Boy’s African roots. Noah jokingly remarked, “You know people say Afrobeats is new, and personally growing up in South Africa, I would get Afrobeats all the time for my mom every time I came home past my curfew,” before introducing Burna Boy as the “Grammy-winning sensation originally from Nigeria.”
Burna Boy, the most nominated African artist at the 2024 Grammys, garnered a total of four nominations. These include Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Sittin’ on Top of the World” featuring 21 Savage, Best Global Music Album for “I Told Them…,” Best Global Music Performance for “Alone” from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, and the inaugural Best African Music Performance for “City Boys” — another hit from “I Told Them…”. Burna Boy secured his first Grammy in 2021, winning the Best Global Music Album award for “Twice As Tall.”
During his 2024 Grammy Awards performance, Burna Boy, joined by 21 Savage, presented a captivating rendition of “Sittin’ on Top of the World.” The performance included a sample of Brandy’s 1998 hit “Top of the World,” with Brandy herself making a guest appearance. The stage came alive with vibrant colors as Burna Boy showcased his hit “City Boys,” accompanied by dancers in traditional Nigerian attire, creating a visually and musically stunning moment.
Brandy, clad in an all-black outfit with striking red knee-high boots, performed part of her iconic “Top of the World.” 21 Savage, donned in an all-red leather ensemble, delivered his verse on Burna Boy’s track, creating a collaborative and dynamic performance that resonated with the audience and showcased the global appeal of Afro-fusion. Burna Boy’s electrifying Grammy Awards performance marked another milestone in his remarkable career and further solidified his impact on the global music stage.
