Burna Boy Sets Historic Spotify Record as Mother Urges Singer to Start a Family on 35th Birthday

Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has solidified his position as the leading voice of African music on the global stage, setting a historic record for monthly listeners on Spotify. As the "African Giant" celebrated his 35th birthday on July 2nd, his professional triumphs were met with a poignant personal reminder from his mother and manager, Bose Ogulu, who urged the singer to prioritize settling down and starting a family. This blend of unprecedented commercial success and traditional family expectations highlights the unique junction the artist finds himself at mid-career.

On the digital front, Burna Boy reached a staggering 47.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, the highest ever recorded for an African artist. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 46.58 million held by South African sensation Tyla. A significant driver of this surge is the global popularity of "Dai Dai," his World Cup-themed collaboration with Colombian superstar Shakira. The track has not only dominated airwaves but also topped the Spotify Global Top Songs chart, making Burna Boy the first African artist to reach the summit of that particular chart since Wizkid accomplished the feat in 2016.

However, the festivities surrounding his birthday brought personal matters to the forefront. During the celebration, Bose Ogulu encouraged her son to look beyond his professional focus on "health and prosperity" and include a "good wife and children" in his aspirations for the coming year. This public nudge from the influential "Mama Burna" underscores the cultural and personal pressures facing the singer even as he continues to conquer international music markets.

Burna Boy has previously addressed his bachelor status, explaining that his grueling music schedule and commitment to his craft make it difficult to provide the level of presence he believes children deserve. He has expressed a strong desire to be an active parent and has maintained a firm stance against fathering children out of wedlock. As he enters his mid-thirties with his musical influence at an all-time high, the balance between maintaining his status as a global icon and fulfilling personal milestones remains a central theme in his public narrative.