2023 was a good year for Nigerian music. The 鈥渙ld cats鈥 continued on their streak of global ascension; the new cats made their marks in uncharted territories. And there鈥檚 been a surplus amount of bragging rights for fans all round.
As the year winds down, we highlight the important milestones that pushed the 鈥渁frobeats to the world鈥 agenda in 2023.
Tems鈥 Oscar nomination
On January 25, Tems became the first Nigerian artist to be for an Academy Award AKA the Oscars. She was nominated alongside Rihanna for her work on 鈥淟ift Me Up鈥, an original soundtrack for Ryan Coogler鈥檚 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.听
Tems鈥 Grammy win
On February 5, 2023, the hitmaker made history again as the first female afrobeats artist to a Grammy award. Tems bagged the iconic award for her performance in Future鈥檚 鈥淲ait For U鈥. She won Best Melodic Rap Performance alongside Future and Drake.
Burna Boy, Tems and Rema鈥檚 NBA Halftime Show
On February 19, 2023, the trio performed at the American National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star halftime show in Salt Lake City, Utah, making them the first Nigerians to grace the stage. Burna took the stage first, performing 鈥淚t鈥檚 Plenty鈥, 鈥淎lone鈥 and 鈥淟ast Last鈥. Rema came next performing 鈥淐alm Down鈥 and 鈥淗oliday鈥, and Tems rounded up the show with a medley of 鈥淐razy Tings鈥, 鈥淔ree Mind鈥, 鈥淓ssence鈥 and 鈥淗igher鈥.
Davido releases 鈥淭imeless鈥
After taking a hiatus in 2022, OBO his fourth studio album, 鈥淭imeless鈥, on March 31, 2023. The album broke multiple first-day and week records across major streaming platforms.
Tiwa Savage performs at King Charles III Coronation
On May 6, 2023, African Bad Gyal Tiwa made Nigerians proud as she became our country鈥檚 first artist to perform at the coronation of a British monarch. Tiwa performed 鈥淜eys to the Kingdom鈥 at King Charles鈥 coronation.
Burna Boy sells out London Stadium
On June 3, 2023, Burna Boy as the first African artist to headline a stadium concert in the UK. 60,000 fans turned up to watch the African Giant perform at the popular London Stadium.
Grammy introduces Best African Music Performance category
On June 13, 2023, the American Recording Academy officially the inclusion of a Best African Music Performance category to recognise and celebrate the best talents on the continent. The category will cover but is not limited to 鈥淎frobeat, Afro-fusion, Afro Pop, Afrobeats, Alt茅, Amapiano, Bongo Flava, Genge, Kizomba, Chimurenga, High Life, Fuji, Kwassa, Ndombolo, Mapouka, Ghanaian Drill, Afro-House, South African Hip-Hop and Ethio Jazz genres.”
Burna Boy sells out Citi Field Stadium
On July 8, 2023, Odogwu gave his fans even more bragging rights after he sold out the 41,000-capacity Citi Field Stadium in NYC, USA.
Wizkid receives BRIT Billion Award
On July 31, 2023, Wizkid became the first African artist to the esteemed BRIT Billion Award. The award is a special recognition from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) to artists who achieve over one billion digital streams in the UK.
MTV VMAs adds Best Afrobeats category
On August 8, 2023, the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) a new category for afrobeats songs. The category, Best Afrobeats, had Rema, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Davido and Libianca as first-time nominees.听
Rema鈥檚 鈥淐alm Down鈥 remix hits 1 billion Spotify streams
On September 10, 2023, the rave lord made history after his 鈥淐alm Down鈥 remix with Selena Gomez reached on digital streaming platform, Spotify. Rema became the first African artist to hit the milestone.
Rema wins first Afrobeats MTV VMA聽
On September 13, 2023, Rema and Selena Gomez became the of the MTV VMAs newly introduced category, Best Afrobeats. The duo won for their hit collaboration, 鈥淐alm Down鈥 remix.听
Davido breaks record with 鈧100 million 鈥淔eel鈥 video
After months of anticipation, Davido released the official music video for 鈥淔eel鈥, a hit song off his 鈥淭imeless鈥 album, on October 3, 2023. The music video was directed by TG Omori and is the first Afrobeats music video to be shot with a 鈧100 million budget.
Rema performs at Ballon D鈥檕r
On Monday, October 30, 2023, Rema, became the first African artist to perform at the prestigious Ballon d鈥橭r ceremony. He performed his hit song, 鈥淐alm Down鈥, at the ceremony in Paris, France.
Speaking of records and milestones, you鈥檒l have your fill of grilled, peppered, fried meat and many more at 91大神鈥檚 meat festival on November 11. Get your Burning Ram ticket .
