Nigerian music has transcended borders and continues to make a resounding impact on the global music scene.
Afrobeats, a genre that blends various musical influences, has produced some of the world’s biggest music stars, including artists like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and the rising star Rema.
Beyond the realm of music, these Nigerian artists have ventured into the world of sports, bringing their talent and charisma to major sporting events across the globe.
In this comprehensive article, we will explore the remarkable journeys of Rema, Davido, Burna Boy, and five other Nigerian music stars who have made history by performing at sporting events worldwide.
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Davido
In 2022, the multi-award-winning artist, performer, and record producer David Adeleke, globally known as ‘Davido,’ had a momentous opportunity.
He was invited to perform at the closing ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This high-profile event took place just before the final match between Argentina and France.
Davido, fondly referred to as ‘OBO,’ took the stage at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, located just north of Doha, in front of a staggering 88,966 spectators. It was a comeback for the artist, who had taken an emotional break from the public eye following the tragic loss of his son, Ifeanyi, in the previous year.
D’banj
In 2013, Dayo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known by his stage name ‘D’banj’ or ‘Kokomaster,’ graced the closing ceremony of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
This multi-award-winning singer gave an electrifying performance of his hit track ‘Top Of The World’ at the event held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
D’banj’s musical journey has been filled with achievements, including awards such as Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007, Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009, and Best International Act: Africa at the 2011 BET Awards.
He also received recognition as the Best-selling African Artist at the 2014 World Music Awards and the Evolution award at the 2015 MTV Africa Musical Awards.
Rema
Rema, whose real name is Divine Ikubor, has been making waves in the music industry and recently made history as the first Nigerian musician to perform at the Ballon d’Or Awards ceremony presented by France Football.
This 23-year-old artist is a multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, rapper, and performer.
His performance took place during the Ballon d’Or ceremony where Lionel Messi received his record 8th Ballon d’Or at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Rema showcased his 2022 global hit single ‘Calm Down’ to a captivated audience
Burna Boy, Rema and Tems
The reach of Afrobeats extends far beyond traditional music events. In 2023, three Nigerian music stars took center stage during the halftime show at the NBA All-Star games.
Burna Boy, one of the genre’s most prominent figures, presented a high-energy performance, featuring some of his hit songs like ‘It’s Plenty,’ ‘Last Last,’ and ‘Anybody.’
Following him, Rema, the young prodigy, enthralled the audience with renditions of ‘Calm Down’ and ‘Holiday.’
Tems, another rising star in the Afrobeats scene, completed the lineup by performing some of her best songs like ‘Free Mind,’ ‘Crazy Tings,’ and her collaborations with Wizkid (‘Essence’) and Future (‘Wait For You’). The NBA All-Star games provided a unique platform for showcasing Afrobeats to a global audience
Kizz Daniel
Kizz Daniel, whose real name is Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, achieved a long-cherished dream of performing at the FIFA World Cup.
Prior to this moment, he had expressed his desire to perform his hit songs at football’s global showpiece, and that dream became a reality.
He received an invite to the FIFA Fan Fest in Qatar, where he took the stage as the Nigerian hitmaker and owner of Flyboy Inc. Kizz Daniel’s performance featured his hit songs like ‘Buga’ and ‘Cough,’ leaving an indelible mark on the event.
Patoranking
Kizz Daniel wasn’t the only artist to light up the crowd at the FIFA Fan Festival in 2022. Patoranking, known for his unique reggae and dancehall-infused Afrobeats sound, also performed at this high-energy event in Qatar.
One of the highlights of Patoranking’s performance was his interaction with the crowd. He encouraged the impressive audience to keep their flashlights on, creating a magical atmosphere as he entertained them with his powerful voice and infectious rhythms.
Burna Boy
Burna Boy, the self-proclaimed ‘African Giant,’ etched his name in history as the first African artist to perform at the finals of the UEFA Champions League.
The event took place during the 2022/23 Uefa Champions League (UCL) halftime show sponsored by Pepsi and held in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday, June 10, 2023.
The Grammy Award winner shared the stage with Brazilian popstar Anitta at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 74,753. Burna Boy’s performance was nothing short of electrifying, with a classy delivery of his hit song ‘Last Last’ and several other chart-topping tracks.
CKay
CKay, whose real name is Chukwuka Chukwuma Ekweani, graced the closing ceremony of the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN) held in Algeria.
The Nigerian singer entertained over 40,000 fans who gathered inside the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki. During his performance, CKay treated the audience to hit trending songs like ‘Love Nwantiti’ and ‘Emiliana.’
Notably, CKay’s ‘Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ahh),’ released in 2019, gained widespread recognition as the first-ever African song to surpass one billion streams on the popular streaming platform Spotify. This remarkable achievement solidified his place in the pantheon of Afrobeats stars.
Nigerian music stars have been at the forefront of the global Afrobeats movement, bringing their infectious rhythms and captivating performances to the world’s biggest sporting events. From Davido’s triumphant return at
