Burna Boy: An International Star
Grammy Award-winning artist Burna Boy will embark on his Love, Damini Tour beginning July 17 in the tropical islands of Barbados. The nine-city tour will end in Atlanta, Georgia. This comes after the release of his new album "Love, Damini," scheduled for July 1.
Damini Ogulu—better known as the multi-platinum selling and critically acclaimed artist Burna Boy—was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Growing up around educators, at ten years old, Burna Boy received his first computer, a gift that would shape the course of his future. He started making beats with FruityLoops and continued doing so through his teen years. After graduating high school in Nigeria, Burna moved to London to study media technology at the University of Sussex; after some time, Burna realized that school wasn't for him. Instead, he interned with a local radio station and began making music full-time.
In 2013, Burna released L.I.F.E., nominated for Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. It also peaked at number seven on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. Burna earned Album of the Year for his third studio album in 2018 at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The single off of the album, "Ye," was named the biggest song of the Year. His accolades racked up. After releasing his single, "African Giant," he broke through on the U.S. scene.
Burna's international acclaim began with the release of his album "Twice as Tall" in 2019. The album, which features production by Mike Dean and Timbaland, was nominated for Best Album at the BET Awards before winning the award for Best International Act at the same event. Burna also
collaborated with Fall Out Boy on their album "MANIA," released that same year.
It's not easy for many musicians to break into the mainstream American music scene. But Burna Boy—with help from Kanye West and his hit "Ye"—managed to get there. The Nigerian artist performed at Madison Square Garden, making him the first African-born artist to headline the venue. Busta Rhymes and Youssou N'Dour joined Burna on stage for a memorable performance. And Burna Boy isn't slowing down anytime soon.