3 weeks ago
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What began as a love-soaked ode to a Jamaican beauty queen has officially cemented its place in global pop culture. Burna Boy’s 2022 hit single Toni Ann Singh, featuring dancehall heavyweight Popcaan, has been certified Gold in Canada, three years after its release. Issued by Music Canada on Monday, January 19, the certification recognises over 40,000 units sold and adds another major accolade to a song that has steadily reshaped conversations around dancehall’s place in the Afrobeats era.
Named after St Thomas native and former Miss World 2019 titleholder Toni-Ann Singh, the track was featured on Burna Boy’s Grammy-nominated Love, Damini album. Upon release, Toni Ann Singh made history by debuting at No.12 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart in July 2022, marking a first for a Jamaican dancehall artiste on the platform. It later peaked at No.11, while also landing at No.47 on Billboard’s Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, underscoring its longevity and cross-cultural appeal.
Beyond the charts, the single sparked intense online conversation. While many celebrated the pairing of the Unruly Boss and the African Giant, Popcaan’s lyrical praise of the former beauty queen caused a stir among sections of his female fanbase, who openly voiced feelings of betrayal on social media. Still, the controversy only amplified the record’s visibility, helping it dominate timelines and playlists across regions.
Now Gold-certified in Canada, Toni Ann Singh stands as more than a love song. It represents a breakthrough moment for dancehall on the global Afrobeats stage, reinforcing Popcaan’s international reach and Burna Boy’s continued influence as a cultural bridge between Africa and the Caribbean. With accolades still rolling in years later, the track’s legacy appears far from finished.
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