The Afro-fusion artist made his live Grammy debut on Sunday
Burna transitioned to the contemporary track “City Boys” before captivating the audience with a performance of “Sittin’ On Top of the World.” He then surprised the crowd by inviting Brandi to join him on stage. Brandi, known for her 1998 hit “Top of the World” with Ma$e, showcased her smooth vocals, making a triumphant return to the stage after a hiatus since the Nineties. Dressed in a black trench coat, oversized clear glasses, and striking scarlet boots, she and Burna emphatically conveyed that they are, indeed, on top of the world.
Burna Boy leads the nominations for the 2024 Grammy Awards as the most nominated African artist, securing a total of four nods. These include Best Melodic Rap Performance for his track “Sittin’ on Top of the World” featuring 21 Savage, Best Global Music Album for his latest release “I Told Them…,” Best Global Music Performance for “Alone” from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, and the inaugural Best African Music Performance for “City Boys,” another standout single from the album “I Told Them…”
Notably, Burna Boy clinched his first Grammy in 2021, triumphing in the Best Global Music Album category for his work on “Twice As Tall.” During that memorable year, a pre-recorded performance by the Nigerian singer was showcased as part of the Grammy pre-show, with portions filmed against the backdrop of Nigeria’s National Theatre in Lagos.
Brandy Collaborates with Burna Boy and 21 Savage for a Groundbreaking Performance of 'Sittin' On Top of the World' at the 2024 Grammys
Brandy commanded the stage with an electrifying presence during her performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards on Sunday (February 4) held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.The accomplished 44-year-old singer and actress collaborated with Burna Boy and 21 Savage for a groundbreaking rendition of the track “Sittin’ On Top of the World.”Notably, the song cleverly samples Brandy’s own 1998 hit, “Top of the World.”This performance made history as Burna Boy became the first Afrobeats artist to grace the Grammy stage, adding a significant milestone to the event.
“Sittin’ On Top of the World” earned a nomination for Best Melodic Rap Performance, while Burna Boy received multiple nominations, including Best Global Music Performance for “Alone,” Best African Music Performance for “City Boys,” and Best Global Music Album for I Told Them…
21 Savage also secured nominations in various categories, such as Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for “Rich Flex” with Drake, Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Spin Bout U,” and Best Rap Album for Her Loss.The star-studded evening showcased not only the incredible talent on display but also celebrated the diversity and global influence of music across genres.
Burna Boy’s track “City Boys” briefly took the spotlight, only to be eclipsed by Brandy’s stunning vocals in her 1998 hit “Top of the World.” This exceptional vocal display made it an ideal choice for sampling on Burna Boy’s “Sittin’ on Top of the World,” featuring a guest verse from 21 Savage. The trio’s stylish delivery was undeniable, with Burna Boy’s lyrics echoing confidence: “I pull up in my high fashion, every light flashing.”
Heading into the 2024 GRAMMYs, Burna Boy secured four nominations, notably for Best Global Music Album (“I Told Them…”), Best Global Music Performance (“Alone”), and Best Melodic Rap Performance (“Sittin’ on Top of the World”). Additionally, he was nominated in the newly introduced Best African Music Performance category for “City Boys.” This marked a significant recognition, given the three new categories introduced that year. Burna Boy, having previously won Best Global Music Album for “Twice as Tall” in 2020, became the first male Nigerian artist to win for an original work.
As a prominent figure in Afro-fusion, Burna Boy pays homage to Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, blending his influences with American hip-hop and R&B. The album “I Told Them…” reflects this fusion, featuring collaborations with J. Cole, Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA and RZA, and 21 Savage. Debuting at the top of the UK Albums chart, the LP marked Burna Boy’s first No. 1 album and a historic achievement as the first international Afrobeats artist to reach this milestone. Furthermore, “I Told Them…” claimed the top spot on the UK R&B Albums chart.
In 2023, Burna Boy achieved a series of groundbreaking milestones. In June, he headlined a historic US stadium show at New York City’s Citi Field, becoming the first Nigerian artist to do so. Following that success, in July, he made history again as the first African artist to headline a UK stadium show, selling out London Stadium.