Burna Boy Becomes First Global Afrobeats Star To Secure UK Number 1 Album With I Told Them…

Burna Boy is Sittin’ on Top of the World right now as he becomes the first-ever international Afrobeats artist to secure a UK Number 1 album with I Told Them… today, the Official Charts Company can confirm.

The Nigerian-born phenomenon, real name Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, storms straight to the summit with his fifth full-length release, having previously enjoyed success with 2019’s African Giant (19), 2020 release Twice As Tall (11) and coming close to the top with 2022’s Love, Damini (2).

The Afrobeats genre has continued to grow globally in recent years, with its sound increasingly infiltrating the UK Official Charts and shaping popular culture, from global superstars like Wizkid and Davido to rising artist Libianca. While homegrown British talent such as J Hus have enjoyed chart-topping success on the Official Albums Chart, Burna Boy becomes the first international Afrobeats star to cement such a place in UK chart history.

In response to the growth of the genre, in summer 2020 Official Charts teamed up with Afro Nation to launch the first ever Official UK Afrobeats Chart. The Afrobeats Chart is today broadcast on BBC Radio 1xtra in a dedicated slot every Sunday, presented by host and soon-to-be Strictly Come Dancing star, Eddie Kadi.  The weekly Afrobeats Chart Top 20 is published online Sunday afternoons on officialcharts.com and @OfficialCharts social channels.

Martin Talbot, Chief Executive, Official Charts comments:

“What a fantastic achievement it is by Burna Boy to become the first international artist to take Afrobeats to the top of the UK’s Official Albums Chart. British music fans have always been renowned for their love of new music and embracing cultures from around the world, and the explosion of interest in Afrobeats’ musical culture over the past decade has been a concrete example of this.

“It has been fantastic to see Burna Boy blazing the trail as part of this – and this week reaching the absolute pinnacle. Congratulations to Burna Boy!”

Austin Daboh, Vice President of Atlantic Records UK adds:

“Burna Boy has transformed into a global superstar and this number 1 album reflects his growth over the last few years.

The success of this album is the combination of world class music, a coherent strategy based in culture, and unmatched passion, energy and commitment from his wider team and Atlantic Records.”