Burna Boy opens 2026 with a statement that goes beyond music. His new single, “For Everybody,” positions the African Giant at the intersection of sound, sport, and continental pride, spotlighting the athletes who continue to carry Africa’s excellence onto the global stage.
Released on Friday, January 16, the track arrives alongside a striking visual that unites Burna Boy with an all-star lineup of African sports figures. The video celebrates movement, discipline, and legacy, featuring iconic names from across Africa and the diaspora — from football legends and rising stars to world-class athletes whose impact stretches far beyond the pitch. The visual experience, developed in partnership with Sporty Group, is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dave Meyers, known for shaping some of the most culturally defining music videos of the past decade. Together, they deliver a cinematic moment that feels less like a standard release and more like a cultural gathering — where rhythm, identity, and athletic excellence collide.
Set against the backdrop of anticipation for the 2026 AFCON finals, “For Everybody” doubles as an anthem for global African pride. Burna Boy describes the record as a tribute to those pushing African culture forward worldwide, whether through sport, music, or influence.
While Sporty Group is widely recognized for SportyTV’s football coverage across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, the collaboration marks a notable expansion into culture-led storytelling. With ventures spanning fintech, entertainment, and gaming, “For Everybody” represents Sporty’s first major step into music-driven cultural expression — and a powerful one at that.
Elias Gallego, Sporty’s VP of business development, marketing, and media, explains that the visual and sonic direction was intentionally rooted in Africa’s global influence. He notes that across the continent, music, sport, and entertainment naturally intersect—especially football, which remains deeply woven into everyday life. The idea, he says, was to fuse these elements into one cohesive visual moment. From the outset, Burna Boy stood out as the ideal figure to embody that vision, representing both the spirit of the game and a strong sense of African pride, while reflecting a journey that carries African culture from home soil to the world stage.
Filmed in Madrid, the visual is brought to life through choreography by Dutch creative Shay Latukolan, with styling led by Ella Clark Cowan. The video leans into a bold, celebratory vision of African expression, blending performance, fashion, and social energy into a single cinematic world.
Speaking on the creative process, director Dave Meyers explains that the goal was to reflect Africa’s depth and multiplicity without reducing it to a single narrative. The concept drew inspiration from imagining an Africa-led equivalent of the Met Gala — a space where style, identity, and culture exist on their own terms. Alongside high-energy stage moments, the video also captures more intimate scenes, including Burna Boy hosting a vibrant house party, all woven together into one flowing story.
Meyers notes that his work is heavily informed by ongoing research into African artists, photographers, and cultural movements. Having previously collaborated with Burna Boy and his sister, Ronami Ogulu, he credits that relationship for helping maintain authenticity throughout the project. Her involvement, paired with strong creative alignment from Sporty and Burna’s songwriting, ensured the final visual felt considered rather than performative — allowing the team to explore the space freely while staying true to the culture it represents.
Meyers shared that what excites him most about the Burna Boy project is how it bridges two worlds he’s spent years navigating. After moving between commercials and music videos, he’s seen the contrast firsthand — ads often come with big budgets but little creative freedom, while music videos carry strong artistic vision but limited resources. For him, Sporty represents a rare middle ground: a brand that actively backs creativity instead of restricting it. He says he’s proud of the collaboration and hopes it delivers real value for Sporty, encouraging more brands to invest in art-driven projects that ultimately make content more engaging for audiences.
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