Burna Boy and Adekunle Gold Set for North Sea Jazz Festival

Nigerian Afrobeats artist Burna Boy and Adekunle Gold are confirmed among the headline performers for the upcoming North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam.

The prestigious North Sea Jazz Festival will take place from July 10 to 12, 2026, bringing together a wide mix of jazz, soul, R&B, hip-hop, and contemporary global sounds. This year’s edition features a particularly strong Nigerian presence, with both Burna Boy and Adekunle Gold scheduled to perform on the same lineup.

Burna Boy, one of Africa’s biggest global music exports, is set to deliver another high-profile international performance following a string of sold-out shows across Europe and North America. Known for his fusion of Afrobeats, reggae, dancehall, and pop influences, he has become a regular headliner at major global festivals, symbolising the worldwide expansion of African music.

Adekunle Gold, also billed for the festival, adds a different sonic flavour to the lineup with his blend of Afropop, highlife influences, and contemporary R&B. His inclusion highlights the diversity within Nigeria’s music scene and further demonstrates how Afrobeats artists are being embraced across international stages not just as niche performers, but as mainstream global acts.

The festival lineup also includes international stars such as Charlie Puth, Thundercat, Joy Crookes, Marcus Miller, and Nile Rodgers & CHIC, underscoring its reputation as one of the world’s most eclectic and respected live music events.

Organisers say the festival continues to evolve by blending traditional jazz roots with modern global genres, and the strong representation of African artists this year reflects the increasing influence of Afrobeats in shaping contemporary music culture worldwide.

As anticipation builds, both performances are expected to be among the highlights of the 2026 edition, further cementing Nigeria’s position at the forefront of the global music conversation.