Asake became the latest Nigerian artist to perform in London’s renowned O2 Arena. The event was the latest stop on his Lungu Boy world tour and the second time he will perform at the venue, with an estimated 40,000 tickets sold for both shows.
His first time at the venue was in August 2023. His hostile takeover of the Nigerian music scene the previous year made him one of the most in-demand Nigerian artists globally, and the iconic O2 Arena—Nigerian music’s unofficial coronation ground—became the inevitable next conquest.Â
In a staggering 18 months, Asake evolved from an industry outlier to an international sensation, culminating in a historic O2 Arena performance—a testament to his unprecedented growth. It is important to note that it took Wizkid—the first Nigerian artist to grace and sell out the O2 arena—11 years to achieve this feat.Â
Asake is not the only Nigerian artist who is rapidly rising to global fame, breaking records and selling out iconic venues. Rema’s first headline show at the 02 Arena came four years after his debut. In stark contrast, Davido’s journey to the same stage spanned eight years of dedication. Shallipopi’s Wireless Festival debut came just one year after his national breakthrough, a feat that took Tiwa Savage eight years to achieve.Â
Nigerian artists who have sold out the O2 Arena
1. Wizkid
Wizkid, a global Afrobeats pioneer, has achieved history by selling out the O2 Arena three times in a row—once in 2018, again in 2019, and for an incredible three nights in 2021. His 2021 concerts were particularly impressive, with all three nights selling out in within 12 minutes. Wizkid’s repeated ability to fill the O2 Arena demonstrates his continuing popularity and international fanbase, cementing his place as one of Africa’s most successful music exports.
Wizkid selling out the O2 Arena three nights in a row within 12 minutes in 2021 🦅
— 49th. (@the49thstreet) February 10, 2024
pic.twitter.com/OtPMAyQ3M0 https://t.co/xufuwcIYW1
2. Davido
Davido has also solidified his place among Nigeria’s musical elite by performing three sold-out gigs at the O2 Arena in 2019, 2022, and 2024. Davido is known for his dynamic concerts and global hits, and his continuing success at the O2 reflects his widespread appeal and the growing global demand for Nigerian music. His ability to return to the legendary stadium several times demonstrates the longevity of his music and brand.
3. Asake
Asake, one of the fastest-rising Afrobeats musicians, has sold out the O2 Arena twice in two years—2023 and 2024. His fast climb to stardom is remarkable, with a rapid transition from breakout musician to global celebrity. Selling out one of the world’s most renowned arenas in such a short period demonstrates his distinct sound, energetic performances, and music’s global reach.
4. Burna Boy
Burna Boy, another Afrobeats heavyweight, headlined a sold-out O2 Arena event in 2021. His Grammy-winning record Twice As Tall, as well as his socially conscious music, have helped him gain a global following. Burna Boy’s O2 sellout demonstrates not only his fame but also his ability to connect with fans through powerful storytelling and genre-bending sound.
Burna Boy shuts down O2 Arena in London, UK. pic.twitter.com/mvPSLY2Cqt
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) August 28, 2021
5. Rema
Rema joined the elite group of Nigerian singers who have sold out the O2 Arena in 2023. Rema’s original sound, which combines Afrobeats, trap, and R&B, has reverberated around the world, propelling him to the top of Nigeria’s musical exports.
The time gap between breakout and the O2 Arena
These artists are not only selling out and gracing iconic venues like the O2 Arena, but they are doing so in record time, much faster than their predecessors. Wizkid took 11 years from his breakout to his first O2 sellout, while Davido and Burna Boy both accomplished this in 8 years. Rema needed just 4 years, and Asake, remarkably, achieved it in a single year.
Davido has officially sold out the O2 Arena for the 3rd time 🚨 pic.twitter.com/iw5SVpU9f9
— TXT (@txt_mag) January 17, 2024
This rapid progression speaks volumes about the growing influence of the Nigerian diaspora, which has played a key role in amplifying these artists globally. More than ever, it reflects how quickly Nigerian music and culture are being exported, a powerful indicator of how far the genre has come and its increasing global impact.
Today’s Nigerian artists are shattering records, selling out legendary venues faster than ever—eclipsing their predecessors’ timelines. The question then is, why?
A seemingly insatiable global appetite for Nigerian music
There is a global appetite for African music, specifically Nigerian pop music popularly known as Afrobeats. This global appetite is driven by several factors like digitalization, collaboration and globalization.
Digitalisation has made accessibility to Nigerian music easier through streaming platforms and social media. Nigerian artists,, through social media, can engage directly with their international audience and promote their music almost effortlessly. Direct engagement with fans, effortless promotion, and streaming platforms, Nigerian music is globally accessible and reaches an international audience through an algorithm that suggests the music to new listeners. This has given Nigerian pop stars much-needed visibility and a broader audience reach.
Globalisation has also contributed to the increased demand for Nigerian music, as Nigeria’s large presence in the diaspora significantly contributed to the global popularity of Afrobeats. Nigeria’s massive migration contributed to Afrobeats’ global rise. Artists and fans abroad drive cultural exchange, concerts, and digital music consumption.Â
The diaspora’s access to streaming platforms and live events propagates Afrobeats worldwide, transforming Nigerians abroad into cultural ambassadors. International partnerships and collaborations with foreign labels with the required machinery to propel an artist to global superstardom as well as collaborations with foreign artists with wide-reaching audiences.
Music quality
The most important contributor to the global demand for Nigerian pop music is the undeniable quality of the music, with genre-bending Afro-fusions, authentic storytelling, and relatable lyrics. As well as the dynamic performances of artists like Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, and Davido renowned for delivering energetic live shows.
This seemingly insatiable appetite has led to an increased demand for Nigerian pop music, meaning newer stars can reach milestones faster than their predecessors. The meteoric rise of Afrobeats on the global stage is a resounding affirmation of the diaspora’s power. It highlights the strides made in cultural exportation, showing how Nigerian music has become a cultural ambassador connecting people across the globe.
