Tag: Burna Boy

Barack Obama’s annual favorite music list has become a cultural moment of its own. Every year, the former U.S. president shares songs he enjoyed the most, cutting across genres, generations, and continents.

In 2025, the list once again proved how global modern music has become and Nigeria stood tall once again.

Asake, Burna Boy, and Olamidé all earned spots on Obama’s favorite music list this year, reinforcing Afrobeats’ growing influence on the world’s biggest cultural stages.

Afrobeats’ Strong Presence on a Global Playlist

Obama’s music lists are not charts or awards. They are personal playlists that reflect what he listens to and enjoys. That’s what makes them powerful.

So, when Nigerian artists appear, it signals something deeper than popularity; it shows cultural relevance.

This year’s list included:

• Burna Boy with Tatata (featuring Travis Scott)
• Olamidé, Asake, Seyi Vibez, Daecolm, and Young Jonn on 99

These selections placed Nigerian street pop and Afrofusion side-by-side with global pop, hip-hop, indie, and jazz records.

Burna Boy’s appearance on the list comes as no surprise. Over the years, he has built a reputation as one of Africa’s most consistent global exports.

Tatata, his collaboration with Travis Scott, blends Afrofusion rhythms with international rap energy. Its inclusion reflects how Burna Boy continues to operate comfortably at the intersection of African identity and global appeal.

Perhaps the most significant moment on the list is the inclusion of 99; a song deeply rooted in Nigerian street pop culture.

Led by Olamidé and Asake, alongside Seyi Vibez, Daecolm, and Young Jonn, 99 represents a raw, energetic Lagos sound. It is the kind of song born from the streets, clubs, and everyday experiences of Nigerian youth.

Seeing it land on a playlist curated by a former U.S. president speaks volumes.

Olamidé’s role as a culture driver and Asake’s rise as one of Afrobeats’ most exciting modern stars come together on this track.

Barack Obama’s favorite music lists have always served as a snapshot of the year’s cultural mood. In 2025, that snapshot clearly includes Nigeria.

For Asake, Burna Boy, and Olamidé, making the list is not just a personal win; it’s another moment of validation for Nigerian music as a global force.

For years, we’ve watched Afrobeats artists conquer global charts. But in 2025, one name transcended music to truly define the heights of luxury lifestyle: Burna Boy. He wasn’t just making hits; he was curating a lifestyle, a look, an entire vibe that reshaped how Nigerians and the world view modern African richness. Forget flashy logos; Burna Boy’s luxury in 2025 was about exclusive collaborations, understated elegance, and a global, borderless appeal. And in my humble opinion, no one did it better.

Burna Boy and the On Patnership

Let’s start with the main discourse, or rather, the sleek, performance-engineered sneaker in the stadium. Burna Boy’s multi-year partnership with Swiss sportswear giant On was, hands down, the most significant lifestyle endorsement deal in Afrobeats in 2025. This wasn’t just another celebrity wearing a brand; it was a cultural alignment.

The points it made

Beyond Athleisure: On is a premium, often high-fashion, athletic brand known for its technical innovation and minimalist aesthetic. By collaborating with Burna Boy, On didn’t just gain an ambassador; they gained a cultural bridge to a massive, aspirational market.

The “Quiet Luxury” of Performance: This partnership subtly introduced a new form of luxury to the Nigerian mainstream: “quiet luxury” in athletic wear. It wasn’t about the loudest logo but the sleekest design, the most advanced tech, and the feeling of exclusivity. Burna Boy made it cool to invest in high-performance gear that also looked incredibly stylish.

Accessible Aspiration: While On products can be pricey, the collaboration made the brand tangible. Suddenly, owning a pair of On sneakers wasn’t just about athletic performance; it was about aligning with Burna Boy’s elevated, globally-minded lifestyle. It became a marker of taste, not just wealth.

#Opinion piece

This deal wasn’t just smart marketing; it was a stroke of genius that allowed Burna Boy to influence the everyday footwear and casual wear choices of millions, subtly elevating their perception of luxury.

Red Carpet Royalty: Fashion as a Statement

Burna Boy’s fashion choices in 2025 continued to solidify his status as a global style icon. He’s never been one for safe choices, and this year was no masterclass in pushing boundaries while maintaining an air of sophisticated cool.

Met Gala Masterclass

His appearance at the Met Gala (where he notably wore a custom red tuxedo and eel skin cape by Ugo Mozie) wasn’t just about looking good; it was about making a statement. It screamed: “African excellence belongs on the world’s most exclusive fashion stage, and it does so with unique flair.”

Beyond the Bling

What sets Burna Boy apart is his move away from overt, logo-heavy branding. His luxury is more refined, more about the cut of a custom suit, the texture of a unique fabric, or the story behind a piece of jewelry. He inspires fans to think about personal style, rather than just brand names.

African Designers on the Global Stage

Crucially, he consistently champions African designers, bringing them onto the global stage through his personal wardrobe. This isn’t just fashion; it’s a powerful endorsement of African creativity and craftsmanship, further fueling the “buy Africa” lifestyle movement among discerning consumers.

#Opinion piece

Burna Boy isn’t just wearing clothes; he’s curating culture. His fashion choices are deliberate, pushing the boundaries of what a global African superstar should look like, always with an underlying message of confidence and originality.

The Global Nomad: Jet-Set Lifestyle as the Ultimate Flex

In 2025, Burna Boy’s lifestyle was truly borderless. His extensive “No Sign of Weakness” world tour wasn’t just a series of concerts; it was a living demonstration of a truly international luxury lifestyle.

Beyond Nigerian Shores

Features in international lifestyle magazines often depicted him vacationing in exotic locales like Jamaica, showcasing an ease with global travel and leisure that few of his peers could match. This isn’t just about showing off; it’s about projecting an image of boundless opportunity.

The “Global Citizen” Aspiration

For many Nigerians, the ability to travel freely and experience diverse cultures is the ultimate form of luxury. Burna Boy embodies this aspiration, inspiring fans to seek global experiences, whether through remote work, international education, or simply broader cultural awareness.

“Relaxed Rich” Vibe  

Despite his immense success, Burna Boy maintains a remarkably “relaxed rich” persona. His style often oscillates between high fashion and comfortable, yet premium, casual wear. This resonates deeply, suggesting that true luxury is about comfort, freedom, and being effortlessly cool, rather than constantly performing wealth.

#Opinion piece

Burna Boy’s lifestyle isn’t just aspirational; it’s motivational. It shows that African talent cannot only compete globally but also dictate the terms of global luxury, inspiring a generation to think bigger and travel further.

In 2025, Burna Boy didn’t just continue his musical reign; he solidified his position as the undisputed king of Afrobeats luxury lifestyle. Through groundbreaking partnerships like On, his bold and distinctive fashion choices, and a lifestyle that seamlessly blended global travel with authentic African roots, he set the standard.

He taught us that luxury isn’t just about expensive things; it’s about exclusive access, thoughtful curation, cultural impact, and the freedom to define your own terms of success. And for that, in my opinion, he deserves every bit of the crown.

What’s your opinion piece? Drop a comment and don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

If we are being honest, after Seven hit studio album, Burna Boy doesn’t really have anything left to prove. He’s sold-out stadiums, won Grammys, and put Afrofusion on the global map. But with No Sign of Weakness, he’s still pushing boundaries, experimenting with new sounds, and reminding us that he’s not just in the game, he is who he says he is.

Released on July 11, 2025, this album isn’t just another victory lap. It feels like a personal mission — a fearless, genre-hopping ride where Burna gets to show off all sides of who he is: the African Giant, the rock star, and the man behind the fame.

THE ALBUM: NO SIGN OF WEAKNESS

A 16 track album that run for approximately 47 minutes on play, the title says it all: No Sign of Weakness. Burna Boy uses this album to talk about survival, success, betrayal, legacy, and staying true to himself in a world that constantly wants him to fit a mold and an industry where nothing comes easy with beefs in the industry and everyday talk from the media.

He doesn’t just talk his talk, he backs it up with beats that range from Afrobeat and reggae to trap, rock, country, and everything in between. Somehow, it all works. This isn’t a scattered playlist; it’s a carefully curated soundscape that takes you through Burna’s headspace.

Collaborations

• Empty Chairs feat. Mick Jagger – This can be said to be an unexpected one, but. It’s soulful, gritty, and has a rebellious edge.
• TaTaTa feat. Travis Scott – A hard-hitting Afro-trap jam that blends both artists’ strengths.
• Change Your Mind feat. Shaboozey – Burna tries a country vibe and it surprisingly with no doubt came out fine tune.
• Pardon feat. Stromae – A soulful, emotional collab that sticks with you.

A Global Sound With African Roots

Burna Boy is unapologetically African, but he’s also speaking to the world. From the pidgin lyrics to the rhythms inspired by Fela Kuti, the album stays rooted in Nigeria.

Still, he’s blending Afrobeat with rock, country, and trap in new and exciting ways.

How’s It Doing So Far?

• #1 on Apple Music Nigeria
• Charting on Billboard’s Afrobeats chart
• Praised by The Times, AP, Clash and more
• More than just numbers, fans are loving the honesty and creativity.

Rating: 8.5/10

No Sign of Weakness isn’t Burna’s flashiest album, but it might be his most daring. It’s mature, bold, and confident. It shows growth, vulnerability, and range.

It might take a few listens to fully hit you, but when it does, it sticks.

The 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards took place in from 12am to 4am Nigeria time in Dolby Theater, Los Angeles. SZA took home four awards including Song of the year and R&B Artist of the year.

Nigerian artist Rema and Burna Boy were also winners as Rema won Best Collaboration with “Calm Down” ft Selena Gomez and Burna Boy won Best African Music Artist.

This year award was hosted by Ludacris and aired on FOX. In terms of nomination, Taylor Swift led with nine total, followed by Jelly Roll, SZA and 21 Savage with eight nods each. Taylor Swift was won five awards.

Below, find all the 2024 iHeartRadio Awards winners:

All-Genre Categories

Song of the year              

“Calm Down” – Rema and Selena Gomez                                  

“Creepin’” – Metro Boomin with The Weeknd and 21 Savage                 

“Cruel Summer” – Taylor Swift                                     

“Dance The Night” – Dua Lipa                                      

“Fast Car” – Luke Combs                                              

“Flowers”- Miley Cyrus                                                

WINNER: “Kill Bill” – SZA                                                          

“Last Night”- Morgan Wallen                           

“Paint The Town Red” – Doja Cat                                             

“vampire” – Olivia Rodrigo                                           

Artist of the year

Drake

Jelly Roll

Luke Combs

Miley Cyrus

Morgan Wallen

Olivia Rodrigo

Shakira

SZA

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Usher

Duo/group of the year

(G)I-DLE

Blink-182

Dan + Shay

Fall Out Boy

Foo Fighters

Jonas Brothers

Måneskin

WINNER: OneRepublic

Paramore

Parmalee

Best collaboration

“All My Life” – Lil Durk ft. J. Cole                                            

“Barbie World (with Aqua)” – Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice                       

“Boy’s a liar Pt.2” – PinkPantheress and Ice Spice                      

WINNER: “Calm Down”- Rema and Selena Gomez                                   

“Creepin’” – Metro Boomin with The Weeknd and 21 Savage                 

“Good Good” – Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage

“Rich Flex” – Drake and 21 Savage                               

“Thank God” – Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown                        

“Tomorrow 2” – GloRilla with Cardi B                         

“TQG” – Karol G and Shakira

Producer of the year

Carter Lang

Dan Nigro

WINNER: Jack Antonoff

Kid Harpoon

Rob Bisel

Songwriter of the year

Aldae

WINNER: Ashley Gorley

J Kash

Jack Antonoff

Michael Ross Pollack

Genre-Specific Categories

 Pop song of the year (new category)

“Calm Down” – Rema and Selena Gomez                                  

“Cruel Summer” – Taylor Swift                                     

WINNER: “Flowers”- Miley Cyrus                                                

“Kill Bill” – SZA                                                          

“vampire” – Olivia Rodrigo                                           

Pop artist of the year (new category)

Doja Cat

Miley Cyrus

Olivia Rodrigo

SZA

WINNER: Taylor Swift                        

Best new artist (Pop)

David Kushner

Doechii

WINNER: Jelly Roll

Rema

Stephen Sanchez

Pop album of the year

WINNER: Olivia Rodrigo, Guts

Country song of the year

“Fast Car” – Luke Combs                                              

WINNER: “Heart Like a Truck” – Lainey Wilson                                      

“Last Night” – Morgan Wallen                                      

“Rock and a Hard Place” – Bailey Zimmerman                          

“Thank God” – Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown            

Country artist of the year

Jason Aldean

Jelly Roll

Lainey Wilson

Luke Combs

WINNER: Morgan Wallen

Best new artist (country)

Corey Kent

Jackson Dean

WINNER: Jelly Roll

Megan Moroney

Nate Smith

Country album of the year

WINNER: Morgan Wallen, One Thing at a Time

Hip-Hop song of the year

WINNER: “All My Life”- Lil Durk ft. J. Cole                                            

“fukumean”- Gunna                                                     

“Just Wanna Rock” – Lil Uzi Vert                                             

“Rich Flex” – Drake and 21 Savage                               

“Tomorrow 2”- GloRilla with Cardi B                          

Hip-Hop artist of the year

21 Savage

WINNER: Drake

Future

Gunna

Lil Durk

Best new artist (hip-hop)

Doechii

WINNER: Ice Spice

Lola Brooke

Sexyy Red

Young Nudy

Hip-hop album of the year

WINNER: Metro Boomin, Heroes & Villains

R&B song of the year

“Creepin’”- Metro Boomin with The Weeknd and 21 Savage                  

“CUFF IT”- Beyoncé                                       

“Good Good” – Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage  

“On My Mama” – Victoria Monét                                             

WINNER: “Snooze”- SZA                                                

R&B artist of the year

Beyoncé

Brent Faiyaz

Chris Brown

WINNER: SZA

Usher

Best new artist (R&B)

Coco Jones

Fridayy

Kenya Vaun

October London

WINNER: Victoria Monét

R&B album of the year

WINNER: SZA, SOS

Alternative song of the year

“Lost” – Linkin Park                                         

“Love From the Other Side” – Fall Out Boy                                          

WINNER: “One More Time”- Blink-182                                       

“Rescued”- Foo Fighters                                               

“This Is Why”- Paramore                                              

Alternative artist of the year

Blink-182

WINNER: Fall Out Boy

Foo Fighters

Green Day

Paramore

Best new artist (alt and rock)

Bad Omens

HARDY

Jelly Roll

Lovejoy

WINNER: Noah Kahan

Alternative album of the year

WINNER: boygenius, the record

Rock song of the year

“72 Seasons” – Metallica                                               

“Dead Don’t Die”- Shinedown                                      

WINNER: “Lost” – Linkin Park                                         

“Need A Favor” – Jelly Roll                                          

“Rescued” – Foo Fighters                                              

Rock artist of the year

Disturbed

WINNER: Foo Fighters

Jelly Roll

Metallica

Shinedown

Rock album of the year

WINNER: Metallica, 72 Seasons

Dance song of the year

“10:35”- Tiësto ft. Tate McRae

“Baby Don’t Hurt Me” – David Guetta, Anne-Marie and Coi Leray                        

“Padam Padam” – Kylie Minogue                                                          

“Praising You” – Rita Ora ft. Fatboy Slim                                              

WINNER: “Strangers” – Kenya Grace                                                        

Dance artist of the year

Anabel Englund

David Guetta

Illenium

Kylie Minogue

WINNER: Tiësto

Latin pop / urban song of the year

“La Bachata” – Manuel Turizo                                                  

“La Bebe (remix)” – Yng Lvcas and Peso Pluma                                    

“Lala”- Myke Towers                                                   

WINNER: “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53”- Shakira and Bizarrap                                      

“TQG”- Karol G and Shakira                                        

Latin pop / urban artist of the year

Bad Bunny

Feid

WINNER: Karol G

Manuel Turizo

Shakira

Best new artist (Latin pop / urban)

 Bad Gyal

 GALE

 Mora

 Yng Lvcas

WINNER: Young Miko

Latin pop / urban album of the year

WINNER: Karol G, MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO

Regional Mexican song of the year

“Bebe Dame”- Fuerza Regida and Grupo Frontera                     

WINNER: “Ella Baila Sola” – Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma                              

“Indispensable” – Carin León                                                    

“Qué Onda Perdida” – Grupo Firme ft. Gerardo Coronel                         

“Qué Vuelvas”- Carin León and Grupo Frontera                         

Regional Mexican artist of the year

Calibre 50

Carin León

El Fantasma

Grupo Frontera

WINNER: Peso Pluma

Best new artist (regional Mexican)

Gabito Ballesteros

Gerardo Coronel

Grupo Frontera

Junior H

WINNER: Peso Pluma

Regional Mexican album of the year

WINNER: Peso Pluma, Génesis

K-pop artist of the year (new category)

(G)I-DLE

WINNER: Jung Kook

NCT Dream

Seventeen

Stray Kids

K-pop song of the year (new category)

“Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)” – ATEEZ                                                                   

WINNER: “Cupid (Twin Version)”- FIFTY FIFTY                                                            

“S-Class” – Stray Kids                                                  

“Seven” Jung Kook ft. Latto                                         

“Super Shy” – NewJeans        

K-pop album of the year

WINNER: Stray Kids, 5-Star                                                  

Best new artist (K-pop) (new category)

BOYNEXTDOOR

WINNER: NewJeans

RIIZE

xikers

ZEROBASEONE

Best African music artist

WINNER: Burna Boy

Rema

Tems

Tyla

Wizkid

Socially voted categories

Best lyrics 

“Dial Drunk”- Noah Kahan

“Flowers”- Miley Cyrus

“Greedy”- Tate McRae

“Houdini”- Dua Lipa

WINNER: “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version)”- Taylor Swift 

“Last Night”- Morgan Wallen 

“Lovin On Me”- Jack Harlow

“Nonsense”- Sabrina Carpenter

“Paint The Town Red”- Doja Cat 

“vampire”- Olivia Rodrigo

“Water”- Tyla

 “What Was I Made For?”- Billie Eilish

Best music video

 “3D”- Jung Kook ft. Jack Harlow 

“Dance The Night”- Dua Lipa

“FLOWER”- JISOO 

 “Flowers”- Miley Cyrus 

 “I’m Good (Blue)” – Bebe Rexha and David Guetta

 “Kill Bill”- SZA

  “La Bebe (Remix)”- Yng Lvcas and Peso Pluma 

 “Paint The Town Red”- Doja Cat 

WINNER: “Seven”- Jung Kook ft. Latto  

  “TQG”- Karol G and Shakira

“vampire”- Olivia Rodrigo

“What Was I Made For?”- Billie Eilish 

Best fan army 

Agnation

ATINY

Barbz

Beyhive

WINNER: BTS Army

Harries

Livies

Louies

Niallers

Rushers

Selenators

Swifties

Social star award

Alex Warren

David Kushner

Flyana Boss

WINNER: Gracie Abrams

Jessie Murph

Megan Moroney

Natalie Jane

Noah Kahan

Favorite tour photographer 

Alfredo Flores – Sabrina Carpenter

Anna Lee – Coldplay

Carianne Older – Charlie Puth

Catherine Powell – Kelsea Ballerini

Cynthia Parkhurst – Jonas Brothers

David Lehr – Morgan Wallen

WINNER: Joshua Halling – Louis Tomlinson

Mason Poole – Beyoncé

Matty Vogel – Misterwives

Ravie B – Adele

Ryan Fleming – 5 Seconds of Summer

Sanjay Parikh – Shinedown

TikTok bop of the year

“Boy’s a liar Pt. 2”- PinkPantheress and Ice Spice

“Collide (Sped Up Remix)”- Justine Skye

WINNER: “Cruel Summer”- Taylor Swift

 “Cupid (Twin Version)”- FIFTY FIFTY

 “Daylight”- David Kushner

 “Her Way (Sped Up)”- Party Next Door

 “If We Ever Broke Up”- Mae Stephens 

 “Paint The Town Red”- Doja Cat

 “Water”- Tyla 

 “What It Is (Solo Version)”- Doechii 

 “What Was I Made For?”- Billie Eilish

Favorite on screen (new category) 

WINNER:  j-hope IN THE BOX

 Love To Love You, Donna Summer

Louis Tomlinson, “All of Those Voices”

 Prince: The Final Secret

 Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé

Jelly Roll, “Save Me”

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

TLC Forever

Favorite tour style

Beyoncé

Carrie Underwood

Doja Cat

Elton John

Harry Styles

Jonas Brothers

Madonna

Måneskin

Sabrina Carpenter

Shania Twain

SZA

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Favorite debut album (new category) 

Jung Kook, GOLDEN

Chlöe, In Pieces

WINNER: V, Layover

Megan Moroney, Lucky

Lauren Spencer Smith, Mirror

Raye, My 21st Century Blues

Bailey Zimmerman, Religiously

Reneé Rapp, Snow Angel  

Tyler Hubbard, Tyler Hubbard