Burna Boy appears on Apple Music Up Next program

Music streaming giant Apple Music has announced Nigerian Afro-fusion artiste Burna Boy as its latest Up Next artiste.
Up Next, an initiative from Apple Music, is a monthly artist program geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating budding star talent.
Burna Boy featured on the list as the only African singer alongside King Princess (US), Octavian (UK/France), J Balvin (Colombia), Maisie Peters (UK), Khalid (US) and Tenille (Canada).
The ‘Ye’ hitmaker will make his debut appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the 23rd of July, as part of Apple Music’s Up Next program.
To celebrate this feat, Apple Music has included Burna Boy’s ‘Dangote’ song on the Up Next list.
Asked how he felt about Up Next, Burna Boy said, “I’m super delighted to be featured among the Apple Music Up Next campaign. Apple continuously comes up with new initiatives to support artists around the globe and push the African culture. It’s an honor to be a part of this and with my African Giant album coming out soon, the timing is perfect.”
“My grandfather was a famous DJ in Lagos; all the records would come to him first,” Burna Boy further said. “I would find myself being inspired by things that I’ve heard as a kid: Nigerian music or African music, some Jamaican music or some French music. When it’s time for music to be created, it’s almost like my ancestors just come into me and then it’s them.”
“Burna Boy has built his brand his way and has been on fire all over Africa and internationally,” said Apple Music’s global editorial head of hip hop and R&B, Ebro Darden. “He does things his way and Apple Music is honored to be able to collaborate with Burna Boy on this moment and help make the name more popular.”
Burna Boy’s music has been included on Apple Music on an array of popular playlists like New Fire, The Beats 1 List, The Plug, Up Next and The A-List: African Music. He has been featured on Beats 1 numerous times, with reoccurring spins by Apple Music hosts Julie Adenuga and Ebro Darden as well as on Play Dirty Radio with Krept & Konan and artiste-led shows Ramona Radio with Vince Staples.
Since the start of 2019, Burna Boy has been breaking grounds with this being least of many. He kick-starts his feat in the US with a debut performance at Coachella, a BET Award for Best International Act, and now a coveted spot on Apple Music’s prestigious Up Next program.
His new single ‘Anybody’ will be featured on his long-awaited album African Giant scheduled for release on 26th of July.