Put up Malone is about to kick off this yr’s NBA All-Star Recreation, whereas Burna Boy and Tems will ship the basketball occasion’s first Afrobeats set.
On Wednesday (February 15), the NBA introduced its line-up of All-Star performers in an Instagram submit — which additionally contains American singer-songwriter Jewel and Canadian singer-songwriter Jully Black taking over their respective international locations’ nationwide anthems.
Forward of the sport on Sunday (February 19), Posty is about to carry out a medley of his hits as LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo participate within the first ever arena-hosted All-Star draft. For the primary time within the historical past of the league-wide matchup, the 2 captains will choose their crew on air throughout a televised 30-minute pregame present, NBC Sports activities reviews.
The halftime present will likely be devoted to Afrobeats, with Burna Boy and Tems joined by fellow Nigerian artist Rema.
All three of the African stars have loved appreciable success with American audiences, particularly in 2022.
Burna Boy’s inescapable single “Final Final” spent a formidable 19 weeks on the Billboard Sizzling 100. The music additionally helped him nab a 2023 Grammy nomination in addition to three 2022 Soul Prepare Awards noms, together with Track of the Yr and the Songwriter award.
Earlier this month, Tems picked up her first Grammy Award, profitable Finest Melodic Rap Efficiency alongside Drake and Future for his or her single, “Wait For U.” The music was her second multi-platinum characteristic within the U.S., alongside along with her look on fellow Nigerian star’s Wizkid’s hit single “Essence,” which noticed an extra increase in recognition final yr, due to the discharge of a Justin Bieber-assisted remix.
For American audiences, Rema is probably going the least acquainted identify on the NBA All-Star Recreation’s Afrobeats-themed halftime present. He’s additionally the newer of the three featured artists.
Whereas his success Stateside has but to meet up with his worldwide recognition, the singer is on his option to crossover recognition following the late Summer time 2022 launch of a remix to his hit single “Calm Down” that includes Selena Gomez.
So far, the remix has spent 23 weeks on the Billboard Sizzling 100, all whereas remaining within the No. 1 place on the journal’s Afrobeats Songs chart.
Lil Nas X Equals Put up Malone & Swae Lee’s Historic Chart File
Along with the performances forward of and in the course of the sport, NBA All-Star Weekend will comprise quite a few different music centric occasions, together with the Ruffles Celeb Recreation. Janelle Monae, 21 Savage, Cordae, are among the many record of artists anticipated to take part within the actions happening in and round Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah between February 17-19.
Whereas its unclear whether or not he’ll convey any visitors to the All-Star Recreation with him, the efficiency can be a well timed alternative for Put up Malone to have fun the current milestone set by “Sunflower,” his joint single with Swae Lee.
“Sunflower,” which was created as a part of the Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse soundtrack in 2018, was licensed 17x platinum on November 14, turning into the best charting RIAA-certified single in historical past.
The music surpassed Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Previous City Street” remix, which beforehand held the report at 15x platinum.
The plaque was amongst 14 different plaques Posty himself acquired on the identical day. Amongst these accolades, “Congratulations” and “Pyscho” had been licensed 14x-platinum and 10x-platinum respectively, and his debut single “White Iverson” was licensed 10x-platinum as effectively. “Circles,” “Wow” and “Go Flex” had been additionally licensed 9x-platinum, 8x-platinum and 6x-platinum, respectively.
Following their newest accolade, Swae Lee revealed in an interview with XXL printed in November that he and Put up Malone have apparently bought a complete album’s price of fabric they’ve been engaged on over the previous few years.
