Burna Boy Live closed out the evening for Kingston, Jamaica, fresh from what was arguably the best World Cup finals match ever played. One of the most anticipated events for the holidays was Burna Boy Live, who saw to it that the National Stadium was filled with Afrobeat lovers from the Caribbean and the diaspora.
The proceedings were an experience from start to finish and from front to back. So, let’s make an account of the acts in chronological order.
First up on stage were some of the most in-demand disc jockeys in Jamaica. Each taking the audience on a different musical journey, the entertainers started the evening on a high note, showing why they were included in such a historic moment. DJ Mac and DJ Baba initiated the event, followed by DJ Narity and the host, the Fluffy Diva Miss Kitty, and then the Chromatic duo of Jr. and Creep.
Stating that it was the largest audience of her career in Jamaica thus far, Lila Ike definitely had the audience rocking from the grandstand to the bleachers. The artist, dressed in custom wear as she always does with impeccable style, delivered vocals and melodies galore with songs like ‘I Spy’ and her latest hit, ‘Dinero.’ The crowd reciprocated the energy that was exhibited on stage. With a brief appearance from her mentor, Lila provided everything an opening act should provide, and everyone was warmed up and vocalizing in anticipation of Popcaan’s arrival.
Bursting onto the stage, Jamaica’s very own superstar, Andre “Popcaan” Sutherland, the unruly boss, brought instant energy. Stunted by the audio for a minute or two, the Unruly boss still gave a stellar performance, as failure isn’t his thing. However, regardless of Popcaan’s masterful use of the stage and back-to-back hits, even he can’t deny that the moment Toni Ann Singh made her cameo on stage, it became that moment. “Watch love” was the prevalent saying as the National Stadium saw Popcaan and Toni embrace each other during the performance. The Jamaican royal couple, Harry and Megan, said one thing.
Then came the giant, screams, and a camera-lit stadium greeting Burna’s walk-in. He described his arrival as a homecoming, and he embraced the culture and the Jamaican people who welcomed him. Burna Boy brought on hitmaker Serani, whom he said was a dream collaboration for him as he was exposed to Serani’s music early in his career. His repeated confession of love for Jamaica made the audience give in to his performance even more, and an instant bond between Nigeria and Jamaica was formed by the musical ambassador.
The choir of a crowd held Burna’s hand in helping to perform ‘For My Hand,’ followed by ‘Location,’ where the audience took the lead. Then again came the Unruly Boss, clad in Argentine colors, for their performance of Toni Ann Singh. Then came the moment, when ‘Igbo and Shayo’ were given to everyone tweeting beforehand. His last song of the night was the mega-hit ‘Last Last,’ which ended the night on a high for the audience and sent them home on cloud nine. Damini is well-liked in Jamaica.
