Since the beginning of the year, Burna Boy has been dominating stages, Wizkid setting new benchmarks, and Tems, on the other hand, making her mark—all in the name of Afrobeats.

The genre continues to blow, with Afrobeats artists in 2023 taking the lead in historic moments that are written in history books. These musical maestros, driven by a passion for music, are creating a global influence, both in the realm of music and creativity, while embracing the acclaimed Afrobeats genre.

Burna Boy’s historical London show saw him headline the 80,000-capacity stadium, while Wizkid made history as the first African artist to fill Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to the brim. And who could forget Rema? The rising star stood tall beside none other than Michael Jordan himself in a Jordan Brand ad commercial.

As the genre continues to evolve and expand, these artists prove that Afrobeats isn’t just a sound—it’s a seismic shift, a cultural phenomenon that’s here to stay.

Without further ado, here are the historic moments of Afrobeats artists in 2023:

WIZKID SELLS OUT TOTTENHAM STADIUM IN LONDON

Big Wiz, famed Wizkid, has achieved a remarkable feat, making history as the first African artist to completely fill the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, captivating a crowd of 45,000 fans.

BURNA BOY PERFORMS AT THE 2023 UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

As Afrobeats continues to score another historic win! Burna Boy, the Nigerian sensation, became the first African artist to perform at the 2023 UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul-which took place on Saturday 10 June 2023.

BURNA BOY HEADLINES AND SELLS OUT STADIUM SHOW IN LONDON

Grammy Award-Winning Nigerian Singer Burna Boy achieved a recent milestone by becoming the first African artist to fill London’s large 80,000-capacity stadium during his performance on June 3rd, marking a significant accomplishment in his career.

TIWA SAVAGE TO HEADLINE OVO ARENA WEMBLEY IN LONDON

Tiwa Savage is set to take the spotlight and make history on November 26th as she headlines the renowned Wembley Arena in London, becoming the trailblazing first female Afrobeats star to command the stage of this impressive 12,500-seat venue in the UK.

BURNA BOY, REMA, AND TEMS HEADLINE NBA ALL-STAR GAME HALFTIME SHOW

During the dynamic 2023 NBA All-Star Game halftime spectacle on February 19, three Nigerian sensations – Burna Boy, Rema, and Tems – took the stage sequentially, with Burna Boy igniting the rhythm, Rema adding fiery flair, and Tems capping it off with an enthralling medley that left everyone abuzz.

TEMS WIN BET AWARD WITH FUTURE AND DRAKE

In yet another remarkable occasion, the Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, or as everyone fondly calls her, Tems, took the spotlight at the 23rd BET Awards held on Sunday, June 25, 2023, in Los Angeles, where she proudly scooped the “Best Collaboration” award. All thanks to her fantastic work on Future’s groovy track ‘Wait For U’, where she teamed up with none other than the sensational Drake.

WIZKID EARNS THE BRIT BILLION AWARD FOR +1 BILLION STREAMS

Wizkid made history by becoming the first African artist to receive the esteemed BRIT Billion Award, a special recognition presented by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) to artists who achieve over one billion digital streams in the United Kingdom. Among the select few, only twenty artists have made their mark with the Brits Billion Award, and the most recent addition to this illustrious list is Wizkid, who proudly accepted the award on July 31, 2023.

DAVIDO X PUMA FIRST COLLECTION

After signing up with PUMA in 2021, Nigerian star Davido and sportswear brand PUMA showcased their strength in 2023 by dropping their inaugural collaboration collection, which featured tracksuits, t-shirts, shorts, and caps in Nigeria’s green and white hues, all adorned with the impactful message “We rise by lifting others” – a strong beacon of support for everyone.

REMA MAKES HISTORY ON BILLBOARD

Rema’s debut album ‘Raves & Roses’ has achieved a historic feat by becoming the longest-charting African album on the Billboard 200, maintaining its presence on the chart for an impressive 30 weeks. This accomplishment surpasses the previous record held by Wizkid’s acclaimed album ‘Made In Lagos’. Additionally, Rema’s track ‘Calm Down’ has secured noteworthy achievements, clinching the second highest position among African songs on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 5. Notably, the same single has also dominated the Billboard US Afrobeats chart, maintaining its number 1 position for an exceptional 49 consecutive weeks.

In another remarkable achievement, Rema’s debut album ‘Raves & Roses’ has broken the record for the lengthiest continuous presence of an African album on the Billboard 200, boasting a remarkable 30 weeks on the chart. The previous record-holder, Wizkid’s ‘Made In Lagos’, has been surpassed. Furthermore, Rema’s song ‘Calm Down’ has earned prominent accolades, achieving the second highest placement among African tracks on the Billboard Hot 100 at position 5. Impressively, the same single has demonstrated its dominance on the Billboard US Afrobeats chart by holding the number 1 position for an unprecedented 49 weeks.

REMA STARS IN JORDAN BRAND AD WITH MICHAEL JORDAN

Rema has also hit another big achievement by becoming the first African musician to lead and appear in a Jordan Brand commercial, sharing the spotlight with the iconic Michael Jordan and other famous names like Luka Doncic, Teyana Taylor, Youssouf Fofana, and more.

ASAKE TO HEADLINE O2 ARENA LONDON

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, Asake, is set to make his long-awaited debut in London with a one-off show at The O2 Arena. The highly anticipated performance, scheduled for August 20, will mark a significant milestone in the artist’s career as he takes to the stage in the English capital for the very first time.

This upcoming London performance serves as an opportunity for Asake to put the past behind him and deliver a memorable experience to his fans.

Asake’s debut London show promises to be a milestone event in his career, allowing him to showcase his talent to a wider audience and solidify his position as a rising star in the Afrobeats scene.

AYRA STARR TO PERFORM IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE FIRST TIME

21-year-old Afrobeats Rising Star Ayra Starr is set to headline this year’s Rocking The Daisies festival, delighting the audience in South Africa for the very first time.

TEMS RETURNS TO SOUTH AFRICA IN SEPTEMBER

Tems is heading back to South Africa on September 23rd, where she will be the main act at the upcoming DStv Delicious Fest. She’ll be sharing the stage with American R&B star Maxwell.

BURNA BOY RETURNS TO SOUTH AFRICA IN SEPTEMBER

Burna Boy will be extending his Stadium Tour with a South Africa show, set for 23rd September 2023 at FNB Stadium.

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