Burna Boy breaks World Cup music history with Shakira collaboration climbing Billboard charts

Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has achieved a significant milestone in global music history as his collaborative track 'Dai Dai' with Colombian superstar Shakira climbs international charts, now holding the record for the highest-charting World Cup song of all time.

The track has made a remarkable ascent on the Billboard Hot 100, jumping 25 positions this week to peak at number 17. This achievement marks a historic moment, as 'Dai Dai' has officially dethroned Shakira and Freshlyground's iconic 2010 World Cup anthem 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' from the top spot.

The song's international momentum continues to build, having also reached number 3 on the Canadian Hot 100 this week, whilst simultaneously competing for the top position on the UK Official Singles Chart. This multi-chart success demonstrates the broad appeal of the collaboration across English-speaking markets and beyond.

Strong showing for African artists in global music

The success of 'Dai Dai' represents another triumph for West African music on the global stage and underscores the growing influence of Nigerian artists in international pop culture. Burna Boy's achievement adds to a growing list of Nigerian acts who have dominated global charts in recent years, positioning the country as a powerhouse in the music industry.

This moment is particularly significant given that previous World Cup songs, including 'Waka Waka', have traditionally been major commercial events. The fact that a contemporary collaboration featuring a Nigerian artist now holds this distinction reflects the shift in global music dynamics and the international recognition of Afrobeats as a dominant genre.

What this means for Ghana and West Africa

For music fans and industry observers across West Africa, including Ghana, Burna Boy's chart success represents a source of regional pride and validation of the continent's creative talent. The achievement demonstrates that African artists can compete at the highest levels of the global music industry without compromising their cultural identity or artistic direction.

The song's performance also highlights the commercial viability of collaborations between established Western artists and African performers, potentially encouraging more partnerships that showcase African talent to worldwide audiences. For upcoming Ghanaian and West African artists, this success provides a blueprint for how to achieve international recognition.

Additionally, the discontinuation of the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart—which had ranked as one of the most commercially successful charts for territories including Nigeria, Asia, the Caribbean and South Africa—marks the end of an era for measuring digital music consumption in emerging markets. This chart had previously been a platform where artists such as Wizkid, Mr Eazi and Rema had achieved prominence, making its final issue on 27 June 2026 a notable moment in music history.

As Burna Boy continues to push the boundaries of global chart success, the record set by 'Dai Dai' serves as inspiration for the next generation of African musicians seeking to make their mark on the world stage.