Burna Boy returned to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with the assurance of an artist who knows exactly where his music sits in the global landscape. His December 7 performance delivered a charged medley of “Love” and “Update,” two standout tracks from No Sign of Weakness, the album guiding his current era. Backed by a full band horns, percussion, and rich live vocals the set leaned into the warmth and grit of live instrumentation, giving the songs an added pulse that resonated throughout the studio.

The evening marked his fourth performance on Fallon, a milestone that places him as the most frequently featured Nigerian artist in the show’s history. Industry outlets highlighted this moment as further evidence of his widening cultural influence.

Photo credit: Instagram

Press reactions were swift. Rolling Stone described the performance as a standout showcase of the album’s spirit, noting how he brought the project’s energy directly to late-night television. The publication emphasised how the medley amplified the narrative surrounding No Sign of Weakness, positioning the performance as an essential extension of the album rollout.

This latest appearance continues the path Burna Boy has been carving over the years. From his 2019 medley of “Collateral Damage” and “Anybody” to his 2022 performance of “Last Last,” he has returned to Fallon as a platform to share his music with an international audience, blending socially conscious themes with unmistakable rhythm and energy.

Seeing him return in 2025 with new material shows the staying power of his sound. It reflects a broader shift too: the continued presence of African artists on mainstream U.S. television, not as novelty or introduction, but as essential contributors to contemporary music culture. Burna Boy’s steady appearances at Fallon have become a marker of that evolution an ongoing exchange between Lagos, Port Harcourt, London, New York, and the global stage he now commands.

2025 has confirmed what fans have long known: Wizkid is not just a star; he is one of Africa’s most influential musical exports. This year, he became the first African artist to surpass 20 billion global streams, including both his solo tracks and collaborations. Alongside these streaming milestones, his albums have sold millions worldwide, making him Africa’s best selling artist in modern music history.

Wizkid – Instagram

On Spotify alone, Wizkid has exceeded 9 billion streams, a record no African artist has reached before. His hit One Dance, a collaboration with Drake and Kyla, continues to attract billions of plays, showing the lasting power of his music. In 2025, he also became the first African artist to cross 100 million Shazams, proving that listeners actively seek out his work rather than streaming it passively.

These achievements reflect influence and reach as much as numbers. Wizkid’s music travels from Lagos to London, Los Angeles, and Tokyo, appearing consistently on global charts and playlists. His success sets a tangible example for young African artists, showing that global recognition is attainable. Streams, Shazams, chart positions, and album sales translate into revenue, touring opportunities, and brand partnerships, turning music into a serious business.

Wizkid – Instagram

Wizkid’s catalogue spans Afrobeats, R&B, and global pop, connecting with listeners without losing its Nigerian roots. Each song carries storytelling, rhythm, and identity that resonate internationally. His rise demonstrates consistency and strategy. From early albums to recent releases, he has built a body of work that commands attention through quality and relevance rather than overblown marketing or generic hype.

Beyond personal achievement, Wizkid’s success marks a turning point for African music. Afrobeats is no longer confined to local audiences; it has earned a permanent place on global stages. Every stream, playlist feature, radio play, and album sale reinforces that African music can compete with the biggest international acts.

Wizkid – Instagram

For Nigeria, for Africa, and for emerging artists, Wizkid’s career provides a clear roadmap. It shows that with the right combination of sound, vision, and persistence, African music can dominate charts, streams, and cultural conversations worldwide. 2025 is more than a year of record-breaking numbers; it is the year African music solidified its global presence.

Wizkid has not simply benefited from Afrobeats’ international rise. He has actively shaped it. His work continues to define the genre’s sound and influence, proving that African music belongs at every major stage, in every global playlist, and in record books worldwide.

Burna Boy has withdrawn from two stops on his ongoing “No Sign of Weakness” tour, pulling out of shows in Minneapolis and Chicago, according to updated listings on Ticketmaster. Both events Minneapolis at The Armory and Chicago at the United Center were marked as cancelled, with refunds already set in motion for ticket holders.

Burna Boy: Instagram

The cancellations landed without an accompanying statement from the artist or his management, leaving the move open to interpretation. Coverage from Nigerian and U.S. outlets notes that the update arrived in the days following the widely circulated incident at his Colorado concert, where Burna Boy halted his set to remove a couple from the crowd. The moment drew heavy backlash online after the woman involved shared that she was grieving a recent loss, amplifying public scrutiny.

Reports in THISDAYLIVE and TheWill suggest that the episode and the subsequent online reaction may have shaped turnout in some U.S. markets, potentially contributing to the decision to cancel both dates. Those outlets also note that neither promoter nor management has clarified whether scheduling, logistics, or internal tour adjustments played any role.

Burna Boy: Instagram

Despite the two cancellations, the rest of the tour remains intact for now, including scheduled appearances in Boston, Washington D.C., Montreal and Toronto. BellaNaija’s reporting confirms that these dates are still active, with no additional changes communicated as of the last update.

The lack of an official explanation leaves room for further updates as the tour progresses, and industry watchers are keeping an eye on whether the remaining North American stops proceed without disruption.