Also known as: Damini Ogulu · Nigerian musician Burna Boy · Port Harcourt-born singer · Nigerian superstar · Afro-fusion star
Nigerian singer who performed at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony and final half-time show; Africa's best-selling artist with record-breaking Spotify monthly listeners.
… the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment, and pop culture, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country,” FIFA wrote. “Dai Dai”, the tournament’s official anthem performed by Burna Boy …
… the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment, and pop culture, while showcasing the power of music to bring people together across the country,” FIFA wrote. “Dai Dai”, the tournament’s official anthem performed by Burna Boy …
… Shakira posted a one-minute video on Instagram from Brazil’s Maracana stadium to tease the track, out on 14 May, which also features Nigerian singer Burna Boy. …
… Davido has been trolling DJ Tunez over his recent altercation with Burna Boy, in which he was knocked to the ground after the DJ appeared to have shaded him in a post for flaunting a similar outfit to Wizkid’s in a gym post. …
Ugandan dance group Ghetto Kids appeared at the football World Cup final half-time show alongside Burna Boy and Shakira, performing in the game between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The young dancers, who come from humble beginnings in Kampala, described the experience as life-changing.
Ugandan dance group Ghetto Kids appeared at the football World Cup final half-time show alongside Burna Boy and Shakira, performing in the game between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The young dancers, who come from humble beginnings in Kampala, described the experience as life-changing.
Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has sold 14.46 million equivalent album units, making him Africa's best-selling artist of all time according to music data aggregator Chartmasters. He is also Africa's best-selling touring artist.
Nigerian singer Burna Boy became the first male artist to reach number 1 on Spotify's newly launched Global Music Video Chart with his World Cup song "Dai Dai" featuring Shakira. The song also peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and is the most-streamed music video of 2026 on YouTube.
Pop stars Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and K-pop group BTS performed at the 2026 World Cup final half-time show, which lasted 27 minutes and 22 seconds—the longest in World Cup history. The performance featured fireworks and reunited Shakira with Nigerian musician Burna Boy, who had performed together at the tournament's opening ceremony.
The half-time interval in Sunday's World Cup final will last between 20 and 25 minutes, with an 11-minute performance by Madonna, Shakira, BTS, and other artists. The extended break exceeds the standard 15-minute regulation, similar to last year's Club World Cup final which lasted 24 minutes.
Nigeria's First Lady Oluremi Tinubu called on Afrobeats superstars Burna Boy, Davido, and Asake to establish foundations and help poor Nigerians, saying wealthy individuals should assist those in need as "the burden on the government is huge." She made the appeal in Kogi State while launching a national community food bank.
Wizkid sparked a fresh supremacy row with Burna Boy by suggesting he was scheduled to close Afronation Portugal because he is "the best," after Burna Boy performed on the opening day. Fans have since debated the performance order on social media, with the remark reviving tensions between the two artists.
Justin Bieber will perform alongside Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay, and Sesame Street muppets during the 2026 World Cup final half-time show on 19 July in New York. The 11-minute performance, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for children worldwide.
Justin Bieber will perform alongside Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay, and Sesame Street muppets at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final half-time show on 19 July in New York. The 11-minute set, curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for children worldwide.
Nigerian singer Burna Boy has broken the all-time record for most monthly listeners by an African artist on Spotify, hitting 46.84 million monthly listeners and surpassing the previous African record of 46.58 million set by South African singer Tyla. The surge is primarily led by his World Cup song with Shakira, 'Dai Dai.'
During Burna Boy's 35th birthday celebration on July 2nd, his mother and manager Bose Ogulu asked him to consider settling down and having children, interjecting "good wife and children" when the singer was making birthday wishes.
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy has broken his tie with Tems to become the African artist with the most Billboard U.S. Hot 100 entries, reaching nine after his collaboration with Shakira on "Dai Dai" debuted at number 75. He is also the first African artist to chart at least one song on the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive years.
The MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon has paid for DStv subscriptions at viewing centres and deployed giant screens at six locations across the constituency for 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. He has also engaged 13 kenkey sellers to provide free meals of kenkey and Ghana fish for constituents watching the Ghana matches.
Ghanaian dancehall artiste Shatta Wale claims he earns up to $1 million per show in Ghana and receives the same calibre of respect there as global superstars Jay-Z and Beyoncé receive in the US, citing his submissiveness to authorities and industry stakeholders as the reason he does not pursue international markets like other African artists.
Shakira and Burna Boy will perform the official song "Dai Dai" for the first time at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico. The performance will also feature Alejandro Fernández, Maná, J Balvin, Belinda, Danny Ocean, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules and Tyla, with Shakira also co-headlining the World Cup Final halftime show alongside Madonna and BTS.
Colombian pop star Shakira will perform her official song "Dai Dai" with Burna Boy at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City before Mexico and South Africa play the first of 104 games. Shakira will also co-headline the World Cup final half-time show on July 19 alongside Madonna and BTS.
Meji Alabi, who has directed music videos for major artists including Beyoncé and Burna Boy, has produced a BBC Africa Eye documentary exploring his grandfather's role as a federal army commando during Nigeria's 1967–1970 civil war against ethnic Igbo separatists.
Black Sherif has released his new single "Swagga," produced by Joker Nharnah, following his win of five major awards including Artiste of the Year at the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards. The track follows his earlier 2024 single 'Popstar' and builds on the success of his sophomore album 'Iron Boy'.
Wizkid, Asake, Tems, and Burna Boy have been nominated for the 2026 BET Awards, to be held in Los Angeles on June 28, 2026. Asake and Wizkid earned a joint nomination in the Best Group category, while Tems received three nominations including Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and BET Her Award, and Burna Boy was nominated for Best Collaboration.
Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop boy band BTS will co-headline the half-time show at this summer's World Cup final in New Jersey on 19 July. The BBC understands the show will be 11 minutes long, though reports suggest it could exceed the 15-minute interval limit set by the laws of the game.
Nigerian musician Rema is set to headline the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony in Los Angeles on June 12, alongside LISA, Katy Perry, Tyla, Future, and Anitta. The tournament's official anthem "Dai Dai," performed by Burna Boy and Shakira, will be released on May 14, and Coldplay's Chris Martin will curate a halftime show for the final.
Rema is set to headline the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles on June 12, alongside LISA, Katy Perry, Tyla, Future, and Anitta. The tournament's official anthem "Dai Dai" will be performed by Burna Boy and Shakira, and the final will feature a halftime show curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin.
Davido's collaboration with Omah Lay, 'With You', has won Best African Song of the Year at the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards held on 9 May 2026 in Accra. The track, which dominated Ghanaian airwaves and streaming charts, beat out other continental hits in the competitive category.
Colombian pop star Shakira has unveiled "Dai Dai," her official song for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada, featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy. The track releases 14 May and marks Shakira's second official World Cup anthem after "Waka Waka" for the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Singer Davido has become embroiled in a social media dispute involving DJ Tunez and T-Dot. After Davido trolled DJ Tunez over an altercation with Burna Boy, T-Dot accused Davido of being a "daddy's boy" protected by his father's wealth; Davido responded by dismissing the narrative as stale and attacking T-Dot's father instead.