On a memorable day, June 10, 2023, the renowned Nigerian musician, Burna Boy, captivated the audience with his performance during the opening ceremony of the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey.
Following the thrilling match’s conclusion, the singer had an engaging interview and delighted the crowd with a mini-performance, upon the request of the pitchside crew from CBS Sports, which included Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards, Peter Schmeichel, and Kate Abdo. This outstanding display showcased the remarkable growth of Afrobeats, a popular music genre, on the grandest sports platform.
In another notable event, in December 2023, Davido graced the closing ceremony of the World Cup final in Qatar with his electrifying performance. Meanwhile, Ckay enthralled a crowd of 40,000 spectators during the CHAN2023 final in Algeria. Additionally, during the same month, Burna Boy, Tems, and Rema astounded the audience with their exceptional performances at the NBA All-Star Halftime show. Notably, this marked a significant milestone as it was the first time Nigerian artists were featured in the NBA halftime show.
Let’s take a closer look at the awe-inspiring performances by Nigerian music stars that have propelled Afrobeats onto the world’s most prestigious sports stages in recent years.
.@CKay_yo had 40,000+ people singing “Love Nwantiti" + "Emiliana" in Algeria! 🫶🏽❤️#CHAN2023 pic.twitter.com/yi6P2m2vPh
— TXT (@txt_mag) February 4, 2023
"You need rhythm!"@burnaboy puts on a special concert for Thierry, @Kate_Abdo, @micahrichards, @carra23 and @Pschmeichel1 and fulfills a life dream by giving his chain to Titi. 🇳🇬 🦅 pic.twitter.com/R4yhxybjfr
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 10, 2023
Wizkid performed at the World Tennis League in Dubai, UAE on December 20, 2022. pic.twitter.com/e3YRVEVRdN
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) June 12, 2023