Burna Boy gig preps gather momentum
NIGERIAN singer Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, is heading to Harare this April.
According to his promoter, Elton Kurima, the artiste, who rose to prominence in 2012 through “Like to Party”, the lead single from his debut studio album “L.I.F.E”, has promised fireworks.
Kurima, who represents promotions company Kayse Connect, said Burna Boy will be performing with a live band as opposed to his previous visit when he used backtracks.
He revealed that the opportunity for music fans to pick local artistes they wish to see sharing the stage with Burna Boy has been hugely successful. The campaign was running on social media and votes closed last Thursday.
“The ones who have made it on the list will perform with the artiste on the day. This includes one artiste from Bulawayo. More will be added by the promoter,” he said.
He added that the show’s supporting acts were divided into three groups known as the fun line-up. However, Kurima could not divulge the names of local artistes set to share the stage with Burna Boy as the promoter seeks to seal agreements with them first.
On Burna Boy’s April 17 act, Kurima said: “His performance is promising to be great since his fourth studio album ‘African Giant’, which was released in July 2019, is doing so well,” he said.
In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Bad Habit/Atlantic Records in the United States and Warner Music Group internationally. His third studio album “Outside” (2018) marked his major-label debut.
In 2019, he won Best International Act at the 2019 BET Awards and was announced as Apple Music’s Up Next artiste.
“African Giant” has been supported by six singles — “Gbona”, “On the Low”, “Killin Dem”, “Dangote”, “Anybody” and “Pull Up”.
Burna Boy told Billboard Magazine that the album was his most personal yet. He first revealed plans to release the album in April 2019, and held a private listening session in Los Angeles, USA.
In order to promote the album, Burna Boy headlined the African Giant Returns Tour, the second leg of his African Giant Tour.