Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has launched 2026 with a statement release that transcends music. ‘For Everybody’, his first single of the year, arrived on 16 January with an accompanying music film. The Burna Boy For Everybody project, released in partnership with Sporty Group, features an extraordinary lineup of African and Africa-connected athletes, positioning the track as both an anthem and a visual love letter to the continent’s global influence.
A Star-Studded Visual Tribute
Award-winning American filmmaker Dave Meyers directed the music film. He collaborated with choreographer Shay Latukolan and Sporty Studios on the project. Together, they assembled some of football’s most celebrated African talents. The lineup reads like a continental dream team. Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga joins Athletic Bilbao’s Nico and Iñaki Williams. Nigerian football legend Odion Ighalo appears alongside Super Falcons captain Asisat Oshoala. Additionally, former Chelsea midfielder Claude Makélélé and Springboks star Cheslin Kolbe contribute to the visual. Victor Wanyama represents Kenya in what has become a truly pan-African celebration.
The AFCON Connection
The timing proved strategic. ‘For Everybody’ landed just before the Africa Cup of Nations 2026 Final between Morocco and Senegal, with Burna Boy performing the track live at The AFCON Last Dance event at the Olm Souissi Fan Zone in Rabat. The release reinforces the deep cultural connection between African music and football—two of the continent’s most powerful cultural exports. “I think Africa is at the centre stage of the music video and the song,” Elias Gallego, Sporty’s VP of business development, told Billboard Africa. “In Africa, the connection between culture, music, entertainment and sports is very present.”
What the Creatives Say
“This one is for the culture—for everyone carrying our sound, our spirit and our story around the world,” Burna Boy stated. Director Dave Meyers offered his perspective: “Africa is a continent of extraordinary cultural richness—defined by beauty, grace, and boundless diversity.” Furthermore, he described feeling truly honoured to celebrate African fashion and movement. Meyers also credited Burna Boy’s sister Ronami Ogulu. She safeguarded the project’s authentic representation of Africa throughout production.
Industry Significance
The Sporty Group collaboration marks a notable shift in how African music gets funded and produced. Billboard Africa reported that the project represents a brand investing in artistic vision. It moves away from traditional commercial advertising models. “What I’m really excited about is that, for years, I’ve worked in commercials, and then I worked in videos,” Meyers explained. “The videos are always starved for money. The commercials have so much money, but no art.” He described Sporty as “a great example of a brand supporting the art.” Therefore, the ‘For Everybody’ project suggests a template for future cultural partnerships between entertainment and corporate Africa.
