Burna Boy rose to the top of the Nigerian music scene after the release of “Twice As Tall” in 2020. The album, which went on to win a Grammy, was an accurate depiction of how African music can appeal to both domestic and international audiences. It was a new day in the history of Afrobeats!
Since then, we’ve had Grammys, four artists on the Billboard Hot 100, artists shutting down the O2 (Wiz did it three times in one week), and watched as the entire world sang along to “Essence” last summer. A lot has happened. Things are exciting.
But after the Grammy, not many of those things happened to Burna Boy. He pandered around in search of a hit song for a while but didn’t quite get it until two months ago when “Last Last” came. The song, which would become the second single from his album, quickly became an anthem.
Riding on that wave and newfound love from listeners across the world, Burna Boy released his sixth studio album almost three weeks ago, to positive critical acclaim. The album is a follow-up to the Grammy-winning TAT, so the expectations are high obviously.
“Love, Damini” is still doing extremely well. Here are ten records set by the new album in the last 18 days.
1. Billboard Hot 100
“Last Last” debuts at #86 on Billboard Hot 100 becoming the fastest Nigerian song to debut on the chart.
This is Burna Boy’s first solo entry on the chart, although it is nowhere near the highest charting African song (“Essence” peaked #9).
2. Apple Music Top 19 Spots
Burna Boy took over the top 19 spots on the Nigeria Apple Music Charts shortly after the album’s official release at midnight on Friday.
That’s a big deal, considering songs like Asake’s “PBUY” had previously held the top spot. But when Odogwu released “Love, Damini“, they all had to make way for him.
3. Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart
All 19 songs from the album chart simultaneously, with “Last Last” spending its second week at the top. “Love, Damini” is the first African album to reach this milestone.
4. Spotify Music Top 19 Spots
The same thing happened on Spotify as it did on Apple Music. On the Nigeria Spotify charts, all 19 songs were ranked 1-19.
5. UK Singles Chart
Burna Boy’s hit song “Last Last” is doing well around the world, and the single peaked at #12 on the UK’s official chart following the release of his album.
This is Burna Boy’s first top 15 entry as a lead artist in the UK, a huge accomplishment for the Grammy-winning singer.
6. Billboard 200 Albums
Burna Boy’s “Love, Damini” debuts at #14 on this week’s Billboard 200, breaking the record for highest charting African album in the United States previously held by South Africa’s Hugh Masekela’s “The Promise of The Future” 1968 Album [#17]!
7. France
“Love, Damini” is now the highest charting Afrobeats project on the France albums chart.
The African Giant previously held the record with his 2020 album, “Twice As Tall,” which peaked at #29 on the same chart.
8. Global Spotify Entry
With 1.06 million streams in one day, “Last Last” climbed to #127 on the Spotify Global chart. That was Burna Boy’s first entry on the chart as a lead artist.
9. For My Hand Ft Ed Sheeran
Burna Boy had two entries on the Spotify Global Charts, with “For My Hand” debuting at #157. On its first day, the love song, which is a fan favourite, received 957K streams.
10. US Apple Music
Burna Boy has officially become the Nigerian artist with the highest-charting album on Apple Music in the United States. His most recent album, “Love, Damini,” broke that record when it debuted at #4. It continued to rise and eventually peaked at #2.
Wizkid previously held the record with “Made in Lagos,” which peaked at #5.
11. Apple Music
“Love, Damini” is still number one on Apple Music in 37 countries ten days after its release; no African album has ever achieved this feat.
Meanwhile, 58 days after its release, “Last Last” is still the number one song on Apple Music in 26 countries; no African song has ever done this.
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