Byron Messia Scores Second Canadian Gold Certification

Kittitian artist Byron Messia has secured another accolade in Canada after Talibans II, his 2023 collaboration with Burna Boy, was certified Gold by Music Canada on Wednesday (January 28).

His solo version of Talibans was previously certified Gold by Music Canada back in September 2023. Now, nearly two and a half years later, the Burna Boy remix has crossed the same threshold of 40,000 sales and streaming equivalents in the country.

Produced by Ztekk Records, Spaceship Billy and EJ Fya, the remix saw the Last Last singer adding his signature Afro-fusion flair to the “griminess” of Messia’s breakout hit. The track, released in July 2023, was later included on Burna Boy’s seventh studio album, I Told Them….

That album also featured the songs Tested, Approved & Trusted and Sittin’ On Top Of The World, which were also certified Gold on Wednesday.  Overall, Burna Boy now has 17 songs certified Gold or higher in Canada, including the recently certified Toni Ann Singh with Popcaan. 

Talibans II peaked at No. 99 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Messia the first artist from St. Kitts and Nevis to enter the US all-genre chart.

It also reached No. 3 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart, No. 53 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart, and No. 12 on the UK Singles chart.

Meanwhile, the original song, released in January 2023, is currently certified Platinum in the UK, for sales and streaming equivalents over 600,000.

In a previous interview, Messia expressed surprise at the global reception of the song he had envisioned as a street record, given its edgy title and raw lyrics.

“You know, I wasn’t expecting the feedback and the love from around the world that the song’s getting…” he said. “I thought it would’ve been a street record because, you know, we’re talking — I’m crazy on it, you know, it’s ‘Talibans.’ It’s a title. I never expected it to blow up globally, like how it did.”

“It’s a wonderful feeling,” Messia continued. “I’m grateful, and I’m here just to make more great music. Shout out to all the artists who have tapped in and showed my record love.”