Eddie Kadi believes he has the evidence you need to show that afrobeats have successfully assimilated into popular culture in the West.
He says,
“I recently witnessed Burna Boy conversing with Elton John.”
It once might have been unexpected to find the breakout star of the West African genre chit-chatting with British musical royalty.
Eddie, who has been hosting the first Official Afrobeats Chart Show in the UK for the past 12 months, isn’t as surprised.
It’s been a hugely important year for Afrobeats, he claims.
“The expansion and sound that has spread over the globe.”
Songs from this genre, which combines African and Western influences, have been frequently making their way into the mainstream in recent years.
Two of Nigeria’s top performers, Burna Boy and Wizkid, have performed at some of the biggest music festivals in the globe and both won Grammy Awards in 2021.
Additionally, some of the biggest names in music, including Drake and Beyonce, have included Afrobeats musicians on their albums.
Since the genre’s inception, Burna Boy has ruled the Afrobeats chart and served as its face.
The record for the longest period until a song is removed from the top spot is held by his most recent hit Last Last, which stayed at the top for an astounding 13 weeks straight.
Additionally, he has collaborated with well-known artists including Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Jorja Smith, and rapper Dave.
Eddie claims that everyone has witnessed Burna’s ascent beyond the Nigerian sound of the West African nation and into the UK sound.
And maybe more significantly, he has been able to simply travel the globe while promoting Afrobeats.
11 songs, including Last Last, peaked in the top 5 of the UK’s Official Singles Chart Top 100 and Top 40, respectively.
The best-performing song overall based on streams and sales in the UK was Fireboy DML’s Peru featuring Ed Sheeran, which edged it out for the top spot overall.
“It’s just been great to see the progress,” adds Eddie, “whether it’s new or veteran artists breaking new barriers throughout the world, selling out venues, stadiums, or partnering with other musicians.”
Particularly in the UK, where at least four Afrobeats tracks are also listed in the official charts.
Eddie is getting ready to commemorate the first year of the Official Afrobeats Chart Show later on BBC Radio 1Xtra.
And he anticipates that year two will be even more thrilling.
When Eddie recalls Burna Boy’s conversation with Elton John, he declares,
“For me, the collaborations are going to get crazier and crazier.”
“Wouldn’t we also like to see that kind of cooperation?
“I envision it spreading out further and a new generation embracing it.
I’ve always believed that music will arrive because it’s about people having the opportunity to catch up with it.
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