Burna Boy will perform on May 5, 2024 at the Crown Bay Port in St. Thomas, USVI as part of the Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival. Photo Credit: UNITED TALENT AGENCY
When the Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival launched last month, announcers and guest speakers alike hinted that the list of headliners was going to be augmented soon, beyond the list of heavyweights announced on July 24 including Spice and Reggae royalty Morgan Heritage.
On Friday, the public learned that the African Giant himself – Burna Boy – would be leading the cast during the final land-based fete on May 5, the Unity Festival.
This development marks the first time the 32-year old Afrobeats powerhouse will perform in the Virgin Islands, and represents the expansive vision of event organizers Glowbal Citizens Entertainment.
Glowbal Citizens CEO Ernice Gilbert was delighted to share the news with patrons of the Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival, others who are thinking about booking their cabin, and residents of the USVI awaiting the suite back-to-back land-based fetes. “This goes right to the heart of my vision for Utopia,” Mr. Gilbert, who also owns the Consortium, said, “which is a premium entertainment experience right here in the territory.”
The addition of Burna Boy to an already star-studded cast of performers and entertainers is sure to draw the attention of party-goers in the entire Caribbean as well as the diaspora, where Afrobeats has found an enthusiastic audience to whom the beats – if not the words – are familiar. With hits like “Last Last,” “Ye”, and “On the Low”, the first Nigerian artist to perform sold-out shows at Madison Square Gardens in New York City and Wembley Arena in London will weave his magic right here on St. Thomas on May 5, 2024.
“I can’t describe in words just how excited the team is to have booked Burna Boy,” said Mr. Gilbert. “We’re looking forward to rocking St. Thomas next year with this transformational series of events - I really think this will usher in a new era in entertainment tourism for the territory.”
Though a private venture, the UCCF has received strong support from the V.I. Port Authority, which will host the Norwegian Breakaway for five days at the height of St. Thomas Carnival as the cruiseliner acts as a floating hotel.
Organizers report strong early interest from the public, with enquiries and bookings being made even before the full line-up of performers are announced. The addition of Burna Boy to the mix will only prove to be an additional draw for what promises to be – at least for some – the entertainment experience of a lifetime.
