Byron Messia’s "Talibans II" with Burna Boy Earns Gold Certification in Canada

Kittitian dancehall artist Byron Messia has secured another major milestone as his Burna Boy-assisted remix “Talibans II” reached 40,000 units in combined sales and streaming equivalents across Canada

Byron Messia alongside Burna Boy during the shot (Photo: Shane Creative)

Dancehall artist Byron Messia has secured another major milestone as “Talibans II,” his remix featuring Burna Boy, was officially certified Gold by Music Canada on Wednesday, January 28, after achieving 40,000 units in combined sales and streaming equivalents nationwide.

The latest certification follows the success of Messia’s solo version of “Talibans,” which was first certified Gold in Canada in September 2023. Nearly two and a half years later, both the original track and its remix continue to show impressive longevity.

Produced by Ztekk Records, the original “Talibans” emerged as a global breakout hit, propelling the Kittitian deejay firmly into the international mainstream. The song gained widespread global support, notably catching the attention of Burna Boy, who used it as a warm-up track at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2023, playing to an audience of 80,000 fans ahead of his headline performance.

Blending raw dancehall energy with Afrobeats and trap influences, the record was later reimagined as “Talibans II.” The remix’s official music video was shot in Jamaica and directed by renowned visual creative Shane Creative, further anchoring the project in Caribbean culture.

In the UK, the original “Talibans” reached an even higher benchmark, earning Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry in 2025 for surpassing 600,000 units in sales and streaming equivalents. To date, the original video has amassed over 114 million views on YouTube, while “Talibans II” has crossed 47 million views.

Streaming numbers remain equally strong, with the original track generating over 87 million Spotify streams, while the remix has accumulated more than 80.5 million streams, underscoring the enduring global impact of Byron Messia’s breakout anthem.i