November 22, (THEWILL) –Â Grammy Award-winning Nigerian artiste, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has been declared number 1 on the Billboard Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Artistes Chart.
After finishing in second place in the 2022 year-end rankings, Burna Boy’s chart-topping success this year reflects his remarkable journey in the music industry.
The global sensation achieved this milestone with an impressive 26 entries on the weekly U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, a compilation based on a formula blending U.S. sales and streaming activity. Notably, his hit single ‘Last Last,’ which dominated the U.S. Afrobeats Songs for eight weeks in July-August 2022, continued to hold strong in the top 10 throughout the chart year.
Burna Boy’s 2023 highlights include six more top 10 hits, showcasing his versatility and widespread appeal. Notable tracks such as ‘Alone’ from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack and multiple hits from his studio album ‘I Told Them’, contributed to his chart dominance. Particularly, collaborations like ‘Sittin’ on Top of the World’ with 21 Savage and ‘Talibans II’ with Byron Messina, expanded his influence in the U.S. market.
The success of ‘Sittin’ on Top of the World’ and ‘Talibans II’ on mainstream R&B/hip-hop airplay charts underscores Burna Boy’s impact and recognition within the genre. Both tracks are still climbing the charts as of November 2023, reaffirming Burna Boy’s status as one of the format’s prominent hitmakers.
Following Burna Boy on the 2023 year-end U.S. Afrobeats Artists list is Rema, securing the silver medal with the record-breaking hit ‘Calm Down,’ featuring Selena Gomez. Last year’s champion, Tems, takes the third spot, maintaining her position as the top female act for a second consecutive year.
Libianca claims the fourth position, propelled by the success of her monster hit ‘People,’ which spent an astonishing 34 weeks at No. 2 on the weekly U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. Wizkid rounds out the top five, with tracks from his album ‘More Love, Less Ego’ making a significant impact on the charts in 2022.
For the U.S. Afrobeats Songs recap for 2023, Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ featuring Selena Gomez emerges as the winner, holding the No. 1 spot for a record-breaking 58 weeks. This track not only achieved success in the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart but also made remarkable strides across various Billboard charts, including the Hot 100 and Radio Songs.
Afrobeats, originating from West Africa, has experienced a remarkable journey in the global music market. Characterized by its fusion of traditional African rhythms with contemporary genres, Afrobeats has become a global phenomenon, transcending cultural boundaries. Artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido have played pivotal roles in elevating the genre’s profile internationally.
