Burna Boy is full of appreciation for the City of Boston, as a special day, March 2, has been set aside to honour him.
Over the weekend, he received a plaque while performing at his sold-out concert at the TD Garden Arena in Boston, Massachusetts.
Burna Boy later poured out his heart on his timeline, saying: “I feel incredibly honoured and privileged! Thank you, Boston! The goal has always been the same, to bring the world together. We are all so different but all the same!”
The performance was part of the ‘I Told Them Tour’ which saw him mount the stage in Chicago, USA, and Montreal, Canada, as well. Some 20,000 fans were reported to be part of the recent show in Boston.
Burna Boy, who lost out on his Grammy nominations this year, is celebrated as the first African Act to have ever performed at the show.
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It would be recalled that the City of Boston in Massachusetts, last week, declared March 2, as Burna Boy Day to celebrate the musician’s remarkable contribution to Afrobeats.
The declaration, according to officials, was a result of Burna Boy’s efforts to introduce and popularise Afrobeats in Boston.
“Burna Boy is now a global cultural icon who has helped introduce and popularise Afrobeats to the entire world.
“For too long, mainstream narratives have marginalised African voices and overlooked the richness of the continent’s cultural heritage, with Burna Boy’s rise to prominence highlighting a shift in this paradigm,” a statement following the declaration read.
Born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, the renowned singer is celebrated for embracing his Nigerian and African identity, infusing it with contemporary sounds to create music that resonates with audiences worldwide.
He is hailed for challenging stereotypes about African artistry and opening doors for aspiring artists from similar backgrounds.
Boston City officials were impressed with the singer’s ability to “amplify the voices of marginalised communities and advocate for their recognition and rights.”
According to the Boston Declaration, Nigeria is the largest source of African immigration in the United States, and Massachusetts is one of the top 10 states with the highest Nigerian-born population.
Boston organises a range of cultural events, festivals, and community initiatives to showcase the city’s multicultural landscape, and therefore believes Burna Boy’s legacy serves as a “reminder of possibility,” and a medium to amplify voices that have long been “silenced or overlooked.
It is to this end that the Last Last crooner endorsed the declaration at the concert in Boston, knowing well that his platform does not only entertain but also educate and inspire millions of listeners across the world.