Burna Boy and Amaarae to play Governors Ball in the US

The festival, which is now in its 10th edition, was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 concerns. It is produced by festival promotion company Founders Entertainment, which is also behind The Meadows Music and Arts Festival. Like previous years, it will feature a diverse array of musical styles including Afrobeats, rock, electro, hip hop, indie, Americana, pop and folk.

The festival’s organisers say they are working closely with the City of New York to ensure strict adherence to state and federal health guidelines on public gatherings.

“Building a recovery for all of us means reconnecting with the iconic events that make New York City the greatest travel destination in the world,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “As more New Yorkers become vaccinated by the day, we’re proud to support arts and culture and welcome back Governors Ball and their fantastic line-up, including New York City’s own Princess Nokia, A$AP Rocky and King Princess, among others.”

The West African acts join a revised line-up from 2020, whose headliners include DaBaby, Post Malone, Billie Eilish and J Balvin.

“We’re at The Governor’s Ball this summer! Catch me live on Sunday, 26 September. Can’t wait to see all my NYC angels,” Amaarae posted on Instagram on Tuesday.

Amaarae’s addition to the line-up comes on the heels of winning the Best Music Video cateogry at the 3Music Awards and being named BET’s Amplified International Artist for February.

Burna Boy, who won a 2021 Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album, was in March awarded the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State in his home town of Port Harcourt. He also recently released ‘Kilometre’, his first release since his Grammys triumph. Meanwhile, his 2018 hit ‘Ye’ went gold in the US this week, making him the fastest Nigerian artist to chalk up that feat.