Nigerian music has powerfully transcended concert halls and music charts to command center stage at the world's most prestigious sporting spectacles. Afrobeats superstars are now regular headliners at major football tournaments, drawing massive global audiences and amplifying Nigeria's cultural influence.
Davido's AFCON 2025 Kick-Off Concert Sets the Stage
The latest demonstration of this trend unfolded on Sunday, December 21, 2025, as international superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, delivered an electrifying performance at the AFCON 2025 Kick-Off Concert in Rabat, Morocco. The free public event, held at the OLM Souissi Fan Zone, was organized to build excitement for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament hosted by Morocco.
Davido turned the venue into a vibrant party, sharing the stage with artists like French Montana, Douaa Lahyaoui, and Lartiste. The crowd sang along passionately to every word of hits like IF, Fall, Aye, and Unavailable. The atmosphere peaked with fans loudly echoing lyrics such as "Money fall on you, banana fall on you," while waving flags and recording with their phones.
This performance continues Davido's established presence on the global football stage. In December 2022, he made history as the first Nigerian artiste to feature on a FIFA World Cup theme song, performing Hayya Hayya (Better Together) at the Qatar World Cup draw ceremony.
A Growing Legacy: Burna Boy, Rema, and Tems Make Their Mark
Davido is far from alone in this movement. Other top Nigerian musicians have also carried the Afrobeats flag to football's grandest platforms.
In a landmark moment in June 2023, Burna Boy created history at the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul. He performed Last Last and It's Plenty during the Kick-Off Show, earning the distinction of being the first Nigerian artiste to headline the Champions League opening ceremony.
Shortly after, in October 2023, Rema captivated an elite audience at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris. His performance of the global hit Calm Down was witnessed by football legends including Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, with clips from the event widely celebrated online.
Grammy-winning singer Tems added her name to this prestigious list in July 2025 with a halftime performance at the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where she performed Love Me Jeje.
Afrobeats: The Soundtrack for International Sports and Culture
The presence of Nigerian music at major sporting events is a well-established pattern that extends beyond these recent highlights.
- Yemi Alade performed during the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
- Femi Kuti featured at the opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Furthermore, a constellation of other Nigerian stars like Wizkid, D'banj, Kizz Daniel, Fireboy DML, and Patoranking have graced international events that blend sports with pop culture, including platforms associated with the NBA.
This consistent showcasing on the world's biggest stages underscores Afrobeats' evolution from a regional genre to a dominant global cultural force, with Nigerian artistes firmly positioned as its leading ambassadors.
