On Sunday evening, Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy will electrify Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage. Although he’s previously performed at the UK’s largest festival, this marks his debut on the iconic main stage, a focal point for decades. Fellow Afrobeats star Ayra Starr performed on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday, while Tems took the Other Stage.
Afrobeats has swiftly ascended from West Africa to global dominance, dominating playlists and radio stations worldwide. On Spotify, the genre has surged by 1,200% since 2017. With its artists now headlining the UK’s premier festival, Afrobeats has reached a significant milestone. “It’s our time,” Starr told BBC News, emphasizing the long-awaited global recognition of Afrobeats.
Platforms like TikTok and YouTube have played a crucial role in expanding Afrobeats’ audience in the UK, the US, and beyond. Nigerian artist CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” went viral on TikTok, becoming the most Shazam-ed song globally in 2021. Songs by Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid have also gained traction through TikTok dance routines. Collaborations with major artists like Beyoncé, Drake, and Justin Bieber have further elevated the Afrobeats scene.
Drake’s feature of Wizkid on 2016’s “One Dance” spotlighted both the artist and the genre. In the summer of 2023, Burna Boy made history as the first African artist to headline a UK stadium show, performing to a sold-out crowd of 60,000 at the London Stadium. Recently, Billboard in the US introduced an Afrobeats category, recognizing Burna Boy and fellow Nigerian star Rema.
Burna Boy, a Grammy winner, dedicated his award “to Africa and every artist coming out of Africa now.” Starr attributes Afrobeats’ explosive growth to its overwhelmingly positive sound. “Afrobeats is about enjoyment. It’s music that makes people want to dance,” she said. “That’s why it’s our time. Our music is positive and high-vibrational.”
In the UK, British artists are developing their own fusion of Afrobeats with genres like dancehall, grime, rap, and R&B, creating a unique style known as Afroswing. With Afrobeats sweeping the globe and landing at Glastonbury, its future looks even brighter. Jae5 sees continued growth, as people are “infatuated” by the sound. “The world is huge, and Afrobeats has so much space to grow,” he said. “And the fact that fans are receiving it so well is amazing.”
