Nigerian singer Burna Boy has achieved another milestone in his career, breaking the record for the highest-grossing arena concert by an African artist in US history. The achievement comes after his performance at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. on March 7, 2024, which generated $1.7 million in revenue.
This surpasses Burna Boy’s previous record set just a month earlier at the TD Garden in Boston on March 2, 2024. That concert brought in $1.593 million, according to data from Touring Data, a platform tracking concert ticket sales in North America.
Touring Data provides a detailed breakdown of attendance and gross revenue for several shows on Burna Boy’s “I Told Them” tour:
Capital One Arena, Washington D.C. (March 7, 2024): 13,892 attendees (100 per cent sell-out), $1,724,853 gross revenue
Hard Rock Live, Hollywood (attendance and date not provided): 5,591 attendees (87.55 per cent capacity), $965,925 gross revenue
Amalie Arena, Tampa (attendance and date not provided): 5,890 attendees (90.03 per cent capacity), $580,424 gross revenue.
Rogers Arena, Vancouver (attendance and date not provided): 7,198 attendees (90.39 per cent capacity), $527,395 gross revenue
The record-breaking performances were part of Burna Boy’s “I Told Them” tour, which has already grossed over $11.6 million across 11 reported shows out of a planned 22-stop tour. This strong showing in the US market further solidifies Burna Boy’s position as a leading figure in Afrobeats and a major international touring act.
Burna Boy’s success reflects the growing popularity of Afrobeats music globally. The genre, characterized by a blend of West African musical elements with contemporary pop, has seen a surge in mainstream recognition in recent years. Burna Boy, along with other Afrobeats stars like Wizkid and Davido, have been instrumental in driving this global expansion.
The record-breaking concert revenue highlights the significant African diaspora and growing Afrobeats fanbase in the United States. It also demonstrates the potential for African artists to achieve major commercial success in the world’s largest music market.
Burna Boy’s achievement paves the way for other African artists to break into the US market and secure lucrative touring opportunities.
This record-breaking feat is likely to further propel Burna Boy’s career and influence within the music industry. With a loyal fanbase and a strong touring presence, Burna Boy is poised to remain a dominant force in Afrobeats and a key figure in bridging the gap between African and international music scenes.
Olaitan Ibrahim