Renowned Afrobeat artist Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has secured a spot on the list of the Most Influential People of 2024.
The Grammy-winning singer was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People of 2024. According to the publication, extensive discussions took place over months to determine the individuals who have significantly impacted the narratives defining the year for the TIME 100 list.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 17, Times magazine said: “We spend months discussing who belongs on the TIME100, the people who we believe most changed the stories that define the past year.”
Penning a glowing tribute to Burna Boy, multi-Grammy-winning singer Angelique Kidjo said: “ten years ago or so when young African musicians would come to me for advice, I would tell them, ‘You don’t need to mimic American artists! The world needs the amazing richness and beauty of our traditional African music and our culture. This land is where most of modern music comes from. This source of inspiration is inexhaustible. Its freshness and its elegance will get the world’s attention for sure.’
Burna Boy has made that vision a global reality. Inspired by the fantastic drums of Nigerian folk music, and studied in the craft of the great African singer-songwriters, he follows in the footsteps of Fela Kuti—the internationally celebrated Afrobeats artist and activist.
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Burna Boy’s deeply original flow and his signature groove have conquered the world with an impressive series of firsts: in 2023, he became the first African artist to sell out a U.S. stadium, and in 2024, he became the first Afrobeats artist to sing at the Grammys.
He is history in the making. Now a whole generation of young people from the continent is looking up to him.”
Just last week, Burna Boy had made the list of the World’s Sexiest Men of the Moment. The singer was ranked alongside other top personalities from the world by Essence Magazine.
The publication noted how his voice and presence command the stage and he has an impeccable style, always groomed and iced out.