GRAMMY-Award-winning Nigerian artiste Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known as Burna Boy, has made the list of Times Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024.

The list was released on Wednesday, April 17.

This list is an annual compilation by Time Magazine to celebrate individuals who have made significant contributions to the world through their work in various fields.

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The list categorises individuals into six categories: Titans, Innovators, Pioneers, Artists, Leaders, and Icons. Burna Boy earned the ‘Icon’ title.

Celebrating Burna Boy’s latest achievement, multi-award-winning Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo praised him in a tribute she wrote on Time’s website, describing him as a “history-making artiste”.

“Burna Boy has made that vision a global reality. Inspired by the fantastic drums of Nigerian folk music and studied in the craft of the great African singer-songwriters, he follows in the footsteps of Fela Kuti—the internationally celebrated Afrobeats artiste and activist.

“Burna Boy’s deeply original flow and his signature groove have conquered the world with an impressive series of firsts: in 2023, he became the first African artist to sell out a U.S. stadium, and in 2024, he became the first Afrobeats artiste to sing at the Grammys. He is history in the making. Now a whole generation of young people from the continent is looking up to him,” she said.

Burna Boy started his music career in 2010 with his debut album, ‘Burn Notice’. He rose to prominence in 2012 after his single, ‘Like to Party’ gained mainstream recognition in Nigeria.

In addition to being a Grammy winner with several other nominations, he emerged as the first African to perform during the awards ceremony after performing at the 66th Grammy Awards.

His impact on the music industry and cultural landscape has solidified his status as one of Africa’s most influential and successful musicians.

Also making the list of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024 are British-Nigerian stars, Skepta and Damson Idris.