Burna Boy Becomes First Nigerian To Perform On Grammys Main Stage
The 32-year-old Nigerian musician made history on Sunday night by becoming the first-ever Afrobeats performer to appear at the annual Grammy Awards. Brandy and 21 Savage were also present.
The three of them came together to sing Burna Boy’s 2023 song “Sittin’ on Top of the World,” which features 21 Savage, 31 during the show. Notably, Brandy’s 1998 smash song “Top of the World,” with Mase, is sampled in the song.
Burna Boy sung his song “On Form” alongside dancers dressed in what appeared to be traditional Nigerian attire as he began his performance. He was wearing a red jacket with silver jewels and matching light blue pants. He then gave a passionate dance performance of his hit song “City Boys” while the stage glowed with color.
Then, dressed all in black and sporting red knee-high boots, Brandy emerged from the top of a flight of steps and began singing a portion of her hit song, “Top of the World.” Along with Burna Boy, 21 Savage made an appearance on stage, sporting an all-red leather jacket and jeans while delivering his line on “Sittin’ on Top of the World.”
Not only was the performance significant to Burna Boy. 21 also performed a rap for the first time on the Grammys stage. Additionally, it was Brandy’s first Grammy performance in a number of years.
Post Malone did not perform “Rockstar” in 2019 because 21 Savage had been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement before the event. (In his place, the rapper’s mother received Grammy tickets and went to the ceremony.) After the “targeted operation” over his visa, Savage has subsequently become a “lawful permanent resident” of the United States, according to his attorney, who spoke with PEOPLE in 2023.
