Nigerian music artists are gradually making inroads into the arena of football entertainment, bringing their craft to the larger football community.
Sports and music are intertwined as they share similar goals to entertain and elicit the mind while driving home our creative spirits hence the intrusion of music into football is no surprise.
However, it takes class and excellence to close down big football arena or be selected from numerous music artists around world to headline the biggest football events. In this direction, Nigerian music artists are recording unprecedented feats.
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj was the first Nigerian music artists to penetrate football with his sounds.
D’banj was a guest artist in the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament – the first edition of the tournament to be hosted in Africa, South Africa to be precise.
Standing before a seething cauldron of football fans at the 94,000-capacity Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, D’banj elicited the crowd as he crooned his hit single ‘Top of the world’ from ‘D’King’s Men’ album, which was taken as the tournament’s official sound.
After D’banj’s breakthrough, Nigerian artists have taken the world of football by storm, making appearances at some of the biggest football fiestas and conquering iconic stadiums.
Futballnews takes a look at three major Nigerian artists who have recently broke more grounds, overtaking iconic stadiums and performing at the biggest football events.
Davido at Lusail Stadium in 2022 World Cup
David Adeleke, popularly known by his stage name, ‘Davido,’ was a guest artist in 2022 World Cup Final in Qatar. Davido joined seven other music stars – Aisha, Ozuna, Gims, Nora Fathi, Rahma Riad and Manal for a breathtaking music performance in the tournament.
The Nigerian hip hop sensation anchored the official soundtrack of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and made an appearance in the opening ceremony of the tournament at the 88,966-capacity Lusail Stadium.
Burna Boy at Ataturk Olympic Stadium in 2022/23 Champions League Final
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, is another big Nigerian music artists that has elevated the profile of Afrobeat on the global stage. The award winning music superstar was the first Nigerian to perform in Champions League Final and European football competitions.
The 2023 Champions League ceremony which was sponsored by Pepsi saw the Port Harcourt-born artist enraptured the crowd at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium with his hit singles, ‘Last Last’ and ‘It’s Plenty.’
Burna Boy’s appearance at the elite European club competition makes it the third time a Nigerian music artist has headlined a major football event after D’banj and Davido blaze the trail.
Wizkid at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London
Apart from performing at global and continental football events, Nigerian artists have continued to shut down iconic football stadiums with impressive performances still marking the intrusion of Nigerian lyrics into football entertainment.
Recently, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, made the headlines after he shut down Tottenham Hotspur’s 62,580-capacity Stadium with his “More Love, Less Ego,” tour.
The Lagos-born singer and songwriter shut down North London with a glamorous music performance that featured other top Nigerian artists such as Wande Coal and Seyi Vibes. Arsenal winger, Bukayo Saka also attended the event.
