Feature Photo: Nuță Lucian from Cluj-Napoca, Romania, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally as Burna Boy, was born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. He began making music using FruityLoops, producing his earliest tracks as a teenager before moving to London for further studies. Burna Boy’s first major recognition came in 2012 with the release of his single “Like to Party,” which became a breakthrough hit in Nigeria and introduced his unique blend of Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, and American rap influences.
In August 2013, Burna Boy released his debut studio album, L.I.F.E (Leaving an Impact for Eternity). The album included hit singles “Like to Party,” “Tonight,” “Always Love You,” “Run My Race,” and “Yawa Dey.” L.I.F.E debuted at number seven on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The album showcased his ability to mix genres and established him as a major act in Nigeria’s contemporary music scene.
His second studio album, On a Spaceship, arrived in November 2015. This album featured singles such as “Soke,” “Jealousy,” and “Rizzla,” and included collaborations with Wizkid, Phyno, and Flavour N’abania. On a Spaceship received widespread acclaim in Nigeria and helped him earn further nominations and awards, including Best Pop Artist of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
In 2016, Burna Boy released a seven-track EP, Redemption, which featured the single “Pree Me.” The EP was accompanied by successful live performances, including a headline show at London’s HMV Apollo.
Burna Boy’s third studio album, Outside, was released in January 2018. The album debuted at number three on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and included the international hit single “Ye.” The success of “Ye” propelled Burna Boy into the international spotlight, and the song became a cultural anthem in Nigeria and among the African diaspora. Outside won Album of the Year at the 2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and was named one of the best albums of the year by several publications.
African Giant, Burna Boy’s fourth studio album, was released in July 2019. The album features collaborations with international artists such as Jorja Smith, Damian Marley, Future, YG, Zlatan, and Angelique Kidjo. African Giant debuted at number sixteen on the UK Albums Chart and peaked at number 104 on the US Billboard 200. It produced hit singles including “Anybody,” “Gbona,” “On the Low,” and “Dangote.” The album was nominated for Best World Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards and won Album of the Year at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and The Headies. African Giant also received nominations at the BET Awards and the MTV Europe Music Awards.
In August 2020, Burna Boy released his fifth studio album, Twice as Tall. The album was executive produced by Diddy and included features from Stormzy, Chris Martin, Sauti Sol, and Naughty by Nature. Twice as Tall debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and number fifty-four on the US Billboard 200. It won Best Global Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in March 2021, making Burna Boy the first Nigerian solo artist to win a Grammy in that category. The album also received widespread acclaim and won Album of the Year at the 2020 All Africa Music Awards.
Burna Boy’s sixth studio album, Love, Damini, was released in July 2022. The album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and number fourteen on the US Billboard 200. It includes collaborations with Ed Sheeran, J Balvin, Khalid, Kehlani, and Popcaan. The single “Last Last” from the album became an international hit, charting in over twenty countries and earning multi-platinum certifications. “For My Hand” featuring Ed Sheeran also charted globally.
His seventh studio album, I Told Them…, arrived in August 2023 and debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and number thirty-six on the US Billboard 200. The album features collaborations with J. Cole, 21 Savage, Dave, Seyi Vibez, and RZA. It produced singles such as “Sittin’ on Top of the World,” “Big 7,” and “Cheat on Me.” I Told Them… was recognized for its fusion of Afrobeats, hip hop, and pop, and Burna Boy promoted the album through an extensive world tour.
Throughout his career, Burna Boy has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album, three BET Awards for Best International Act, MTV Europe Music Awards, MOBO Awards, and a series of honors at the All Africa Music Awards and The Headies. He has performed at major international festivals, including Coachella, Glastonbury, and SummerJam, and headlined shows at iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl.
Outside of music, Burna Boy has contributed to various social and humanitarian causes. He has supported campaigns for youth empowerment, education, and justice reform in Nigeria. His activism includes participation in protests and vocal support for the End SARS movement. Burna Boy has also engaged in brand partnerships, including collaborations with international fashion brands.
His discography features seven studio albums: L.I.F.E (2013), On a Spaceship (2015), Outside (2018), African Giant (2019), Twice as Tall (2020), Love, Damini (2022), and I Told Them… (2023), in addition to numerous EPs, singles, and collaborations. His most successful singles include “Like to Party,” “Ye,” “On the Low,” “Gbona,” “Anybody,” “Dangote,” “Last Last,” “Kilometre,” and “For My Hand.” As of 2024, Burna Boy continues to record, perform, and influence the global music landscape.
Complete List Of Burna Boy Songs From A to Z
- 12 Jewels (featuring RZA) – I Told Them… – 2023
- 23 – Twice as Tall – 2020
- 28 Grams – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- 34 – Steel & Copper – 2019
- Abeg Abeg (Remix) (featuring 2face Idibia and Timaya) – L.I.F.E – 2013
- African Giant – African Giant – 2019
- Alarm Clock – Twice as Tall – 2020
- Always Love You – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Another One – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Another Story (featuring M.anifest) – African Giant – 2019
- Anybody – African Giant – 2019
- As E Be (skit) – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Bank On It – Twice as Tall – 2020
- Bebo – Twice as Tall – 2020
- Before (featuring Flavour) – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Big 7 – I Told Them… – 2023
- Birthday (featuring AKA, Kid X and Da L.E.S) – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Blak Ryno (Skit) – African Giant – 2019
- Boom Boom Boom – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Born Winner – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Bundle by Bundle – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Buy You Life – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Calm Down – Outside – 2018
- Change Your Mind (featuring Shaboozey) – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Cheat on Me (featuring Dave) – I Told Them… – 2023
- City Boys – I Told Them… – 2023
- Cloak & Dagger (featuring J Hus) – Love, Damini – 2022
- Collateral Damage – African Giant – 2019
- Come Gimme – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Comma – Twice as Tall – 2020
- Common Person – Love, Damini – 2022
- Dangote – African Giant – 2019
- Darko – Steel & Copper – 2019
- Dem Dey – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Dem No Know – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Destiny – African Giant – 2019
- Devil in California – Outside – 2018
- Dey Play – I Told Them… – 2023
- Different (featuring Damian Marley and Angélique Kidjo) – African Giant – 2019
- Different Size (featuring Vict0ny) – Love, Damini – 2022
- Dirty Secrets – Love, Damini – 2022
- Don’t Run (featuring Reminisce and Olamide) – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Duro Ni Be (featuring Phyno) – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Empty Chairs (featuring Mick Jagger) – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- For My Hand (featuring Ed Sheeran) – Love, Damini – 2022
- Gbona – African Giant – 2019
- Giddem – Outside – 2018
- Giza (featuring Seyi Vibez) – I Told Them… – 2023
- Glory (featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo) – Love, Damini – 2022
- Gone – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Guilty – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Gum Body (featuring Jorja Smith) – African Giant – 2019
- Heaven’s Gate (featuring Lily Allen) – Outside – 2018
- How Bad Could It Be – Love, Damini – 2022
- I Told Them (featuring GZA) – I Told Them… – 2023
- If I’m Lying – I Told Them… – 2023
- If People Must Die – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Innocent Man – Steel & Copper – 2019
- Intro – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Intro: My Life – L.I.F.E – 2013
- It’s Plenty – Love, Damini – 2022
- Jagele – Love, Damini – 2022
- Jahs Love Is True (featuring Wizkid) – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Jealousy – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Kabiyesi – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Kilometre – Love, Damini – 2022
- Killin Dem (with Zlatan) – African Giant – 2019
- Koni Baje – Outside – 2018
- Last Last – Love, Damini – 2022
- Level Up (featuring Youssou N’Dour) – Twice as Tall – 2020
- Like to Party – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Love – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Love, Damini (featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo) – Love, Damini – 2022
- Ma Loda Ma Motto – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Mi O Ni Gba – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Mine Tonight (featuring Nyanda) – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Monsters You Made (featuring Chris Martin) – Twice as Tall – 2020
- More Life – Outside – 2018
- My Cry (featuring M.I) – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Na so E Suppose Be – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Naughty by Nature (featuring Naughty by Nature) – Twice as Tall – 2020
- No Fit Vex – Twice as Tall – 2020
- No No No – L.I.F.E – 2013
- No Panic – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- No Sign of Weakness – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Normal – I Told Them… – 2023
- Oluwa Burna – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Omo – African Giant – 2019
- On a Very Good Day (featuring Wande Coal) – On a Spaceship – 2015
- On Form – I Told Them… – 2023
- On the Low – African Giant – 2019
- Onyeka – Twice as Tall – 2020
- Outside (featuring Mabel) – Outside – 2018
- Outro: Remember Me – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Pardon (with Stromae) – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Ph City Vibration – Outside – 2018
- Pull Up – African Giant – 2019
- Real Life (featuring Stormzy) – Twice as Tall – 2020
- Ring Ring – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Rizzla – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Rock Your Body – Outside – 2018
- Rollercoaster (featuring J Balvin) – Love, Damini – 2022
- Run My Race – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Sampudi – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Say So – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Science – Love, Damini – 2022
- Secret (featuring Jeremih and Serani) – African Giant – 2019
- Sekkle Down (featuring J Hus) – Outside – 2018
- Show & Tell (featuring Future) – African Giant – 2019
- Single (featuring Wizkid) – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Sittin’ on Top of the World (featuring 21 Savage) – I Told Them… – 2023
- Smooth Sailing – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Soke – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Solid (featuring Blxst and Kehlani) – Love, Damini – 2022
- Spiritual – African Giant – 2019
- Streets of Africa – Outside – 2018
- Sweet Love – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Talibans II (with Byron Messia) – I Told Them… – 2023
- TaTaTa (featuring Travis Scott) – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Tested, Approved & Trusted – I Told Them… – 2023
- Thanks (featuring J. Cole) – I Told Them… – 2023
- The Realest – On a Spaceship – 2015
- This Side (featuring YG) – African Giant – 2019
- Thuggin – Steel & Copper – 2019
- Time Flies (featuring Sauti Sol) – Twice as Tall – 2020
- Tonight – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Toni-Ann Singh (featuring Popcaan) – Love, Damini – 2022
- Trance – On a Spaceship – 2015
- Update – No Sign of Weakness – 2025
- Vanilla – Love, Damini – 2022
- Virgil – I Told Them… – 2023
- Way Too Big – Twice as Tall – 2020
- Wetin Dey Sup – Twice as Tall – 2020
- Wetin Man Go Do – African Giant – 2019
- Where I’m From – Outside – 2018
- Whiskey – Love, Damini – 2022
- Wild Dreams (featuring Khalid) – Love, Damini – 2022
- Wombolombo Something – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Wonderful – Twice as Tall – 2020
- Yawa Dey – L.I.F.E – 2013
- Ye – Outside – 2018
Albums
L.I.F.E (2013): 20 songs
On a Spaceship (2015): 20 songs
Outside (2018): 13 songs
Steel & Copper (with DJDS) (2019): 4 songs
African Giant (2019): 19 songs
Twice as Tall (2020): 15 songs
Love, Damini (2022): 19 songs
I Told Them… (2023): 15 songs
No Sign of Weakness (2025): 16 songs
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