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Tag: Burna Boy

  • Burna Boy: I recorded my first song at 13

    Burna Boy: I recorded my first song at 13

    Grammy-winning Nigerian music act, Burna Boy has opened up on how he recorded his first song at the age of 13.

    In a recent chat with Apple Music’s Ebro Darden, the self-acclaimed African Giant narrated how he recorded his first song by himself using an old tape recorder.

    In his words, “The First song I ever recorded was by myself, you wouldn’t even believe this. I had a tape, a radio and I had a tape recorder, whatever, and I would use the beat from video games and some shit.”

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    Continuing, he said, “So I used one from NBA Street, Volume II, I think, one from Grand Theft Auto, San Andreas, it was one of the GTAs, one of the early GTAs, I guess. So the first song I recorded was with that, playing that beat and then recording and then, yeah, that’s how it went. How old was I, man? I don’t know, man. I can’t remember. Yeah, around 13.”

    Burna Boy recently released his eighth studio album, ‘No Sign of Weakness,’ and is set for a world tour by September 2025.

  • Burna Boy: I once felt more Jamaican than Nigerian

    Burna Boy: I once felt more Jamaican than Nigerian

    Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy has revealed that he once felt a deeper connection to Jamaican culture than to his Nigerian heritage.

    Speaking in a recent interview with Capital Xtra in London, the Afrofusion star explained that his time spent in Brixton, UK, immersed in Jamaican and Caribbean influences, significantly shaped his sense of identity.

    Burna Boy recalled that his early exposure to Jamaican music came from his father, who often played reggae legends like Super Cat. This, coupled with his later experiences in Brixton, deepened his affinity for Jamaican culture.

    He noted that his music style—rooted in Afrobeats but heavily influenced by reggae and dancehall—reflects this cultural blend.

    Burna Boy, who has previously described Jamaica as “home,” added that while he now embraces his Nigerian roots, he continues to feel a sense of duality in his identity.

    Read Also: Burna Boy apologises for Afrobeats ‘lack of substance’ comment

    “Jamaica has always been a part of me — from my dad playing Super Cat and stuff when I was a kid to me ending up in Brixton, when almost every Nigerian in the UK was either in school or in Peckham. I ended up in Brixton.

    “So, I considered myself more Jamaican at the time simply for the fact that everyone around me was Jamaican and Caribbean. There were minimal Nigerians around me at that time. When I go back home to Nigeria, I’m really a Nigerian. But when I was here, I was Jamaican. Even the Africans who were my guys were not Nigerians. They were Gambians, Ugandans, and Congolese. There were only two Nigerians in my crew”, he said.

  • Burna Boy apologises for Afrobeats ‘lack of substance’ comment

    Burna Boy apologises for Afrobeats ‘lack of substance’ comment

    Award-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy has offered a public clarification and apology over his past criticism of Afrobeats, stating that his controversial comments stemmed from a desire to define his sound as Afro-fusion rather than dismiss the genre.

    Speaking during an interview on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi, the Grammy-winning artist said he now understands the importance of Afrobeats as a unifying term that has helped push Nigerian music to global prominence.

    Burna Boy admitted that his earlier comments, where he claimed Afrobeats lacked lyrical substance, were misinterpreted and came from a limited understanding of the genre’s broader impact.

    “I described my music as Afro-fusion because it felt like there was no space for it back home, so I had to carve my own niche,” he explained. “I didn’t understand then why everyone wanted my music in a single box. I didn’t know we needed an umbrella term to take our music forward globally. If I had understood that, I would’ve approached it differently.”

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    He continued, “Why would I want to destroy what I’m building? I apologise for the confusion.”

    The artist’s 2023 statement on Apple Music’s Zane Lowe Show, where he said Afrobeats lacked depth, sparked backlash across social media platforms and from fans worldwide.

    Burna Boy has acknowledged that Afrobeats serves a much bigger purpose for African music and culture, and expressed a renewed commitment to unity within the community.

    “I realise the role Afrobeats has played in putting all of us on the map. I respect that now more than ever,” he concluded.

  • Music is my lifestyle, not a job – Burna Boy

    Music is my lifestyle, not a job – Burna Boy

    Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has said he doesn’t see music as a job but as a lifestyle he is passionate about.

    Speaking in a recent interview with BBC Radio 1Xtra, the Afro-fusion star explained that his deep love for music makes it feel more like living his life than doing work.

    He noted that he doesn’t take vacations because music is something he would still be doing even if it weren’t his profession.

    “Vacations are for people with physically demanding jobs,” Burna Boy said, adding that as someone who enjoys what he does, he finds fulfillment and joy in the creative process rather than needing time away from it.

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    He said, “I love my job. I don’t consider my job a job. I consider it life. Why do I need a vacation from life?

    “It’s not like I am a bricklayer or labourer. That’s what you need vacation from. Not when you’re Burna Boy. My job is literally a lifestyle. It’s what I would wish to do if I wasn’t doing it. So, why would I want a vacation from that? Unless I’m old or have a kid. I don’t even have a kid. There’s nothing I’m vacationing for.”

  • Why I may not start a family soon, by Burna Boy

    Why I may not start a family soon, by Burna Boy

    Award-winning singer Burna Boy has said that he’s not ready to start a family anytime soon, citing his hectic touring schedule as a major factor.

    Speaking in a recent interview with BBC Radio 1Xtra in London, the 34-year-old Afrobeats star explained that balancing family life with life on the road would be difficult.

    Read Also: What Eedris Abdulkareem, Burna Boy, VDM have in common, by M.I Abaga

    “I don’t want to start that on the road. I’m not planning on quitting tours anytime soon, so I don’t know where to now put that [starting a family]; find a middle ground,” he said.

    Burna Boy also shared that he hasn’t taken a proper holiday since the start of his music career, partly because he doesn’t have children yet, allowing him to focus solely on his art and global performances.

  • Burna Boy drops eighth studio album ‘No Sign of Weakness’

    Burna Boy drops eighth studio album ‘No Sign of Weakness’

    Grammy-winning Nigerian music icon Burna Boy has officially released his highly anticipated eighth studio album, No Sign of Weakness—a bold and genre-defying project set to redefine the Afro-fusion sound.

    The 16-track album is Burna Boy’s most ambitious work to date, blending electrifying rhythms, poignant storytelling, and rich cultural themes. Known for pushing the limits of Afrobeat, Burna Boy once again expands the global soundscape with a project that promises to leave a lasting impact.

    No Sign of Weakness features a star-studded lineup of international collaborators, including:

    Travis Scott on the high-octane track “TaTaTa”

    Mick Jagger on the rock-tinged “Empty Chairs”

    Read Also: What Eedris Abdulkareem, Burna Boy, VDM have in common, by M.I Abaga

    Stromae on the introspective “Pardon”

    Shaboozey on the soulful ballad “Change Your Mind”

    To celebrate the album’s release, Burna Boy will headline a North American tour on a 360-degree stage, delivering a fully immersive experience that showcases his dynamic stage presence and musical artistry.

    No Sign of Weakness is now available on all major streaming platforms. With this latest release, Burna Boy cements his status as a global force in music and a trailblazer of Afro-fusion.

  • What Eedris Abdulkareem, Burna Boy, VDM have in common, by M.I Abaga

    What Eedris Abdulkareem, Burna Boy, VDM have in common, by M.I Abaga

    Rapper M.I Abaga has praised veteran artist Eedris Abdulkareem, Burna Boy and activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) for their shared qualities of bravery and activism.

    On the Menism podcast, M.I Abaga highlighted Eedris Abdulkareem’s fearless approach to addressing societal issues in his music, comparing his impact to Burna Boy’s current influence.

    He also drew similarities between Eedris and Rema, noting their energetic and impactful styles.

    M.I Abaga cited Eedris’s hit track “Mr Lecturer” as an example of his conscious artistry.

    Read Also: VDM: Nigerians have not benefited from Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid

    He said: “it’s a different thing when you are a young rapper and you look up and you see Eldee The Don. Then there’s Ruggedman, who brought a new flay to the rap industry. There is also this guy called Eedris Abdulkareem. He was just like Rema.

    “When you see Rema now, that was the energy that Eedris had back in the days. He was the Burna Boy of then.

    “Rema has it but now that I think about it, I would say Eedris was more like Burna and VDM. He would just say a thing and put it out there and everybody will be singing it. He has a song called ‘Mr Lecturer’ and so many other conscious tracks.”

  • I want to start a family, Burna Boy says at 34

    I want to start a family, Burna Boy says at 34

    Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy has revealed he is now considering starting a family, signaling a shift in his personal outlook.

    Speaking on his 34th birthday, the music star shared that a recent conversation with oil magnate Jowizaza made him reflect on his life and acknowledge that he is “getting old.”

    Burna Boy, who had previously said he wasn’t ready for fatherhood due to his busy lifestyle, now says he wants to start having children, hinting at a new phase in his life.

    Read Also: Burna Boy represents Africa on global stage once again for F1 movie

    “Na so Jowizaza follow me talk the last time, I come dey think about my life. Omo, I don dey old oh, I for begin born pikins,” Burna Boy said in pidgin.

  • Grammy Awards hail Afrobeats evolution, spotlight Wizkid, Burna Boy, Rema in top 10 songs list

    Grammy Awards hail Afrobeats evolution, spotlight Wizkid, Burna Boy, Rema in top 10 songs list

    The organisers of the Grammy Awards have acknowledged the growth and global influence of Afrobeats, highlighting artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Rema as key contributors to the genre’s rise since 2010.

    In a recent feature, the Recording Academy traced the evolution of Afrobeats from its mid-2010s breakthrough to its current global dominance, stating: “From its popularization in the mid-2010s to current global, chart-topping dominance by the likes of @wizkidayo, @burnaboy and @heisrema, the sound of Afrobeats is constantly shifting.”

    To celebrate the genre, the Academy released a list of the top ten Afrobeats songs of all time, blending timeless classics with modern chart-toppers. Songs featured include:

    African Queen by 2Baba (2004)

    Do Me by P-Square (2007)

    Bumper 2 Bumper by Wande Coal (2009)

    Pon Pon Pon by Dagrin (2009)

    Azonto by Fuse ODG ft. Tiffany Owusu (2014)

    Ojuelegba by Wizkid (2014)

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    Mad Over You by Runtown (2016)

    Maradona by Niniola (2017)

    Sungba by Asake (2022)

    Ozeba by Rema (2024)

    While some fans praised the recognition of Afrobeats’ pioneers and current stars, others questioned the criteria used for the selection.

    Some fans felt that notable artists like Davido were unfairly left out.

  • Burna Boy represents Africa on global stage once again for F1 movie

    Burna Boy represents Africa on global stage once again for F1 movie

    As the world gears up for the theatrical release of F1: The Movie, all eyes are on the film’s powerful official soundtrack—F1 ; the Album, which features Nigeria’s own Burna Boy delivering one of the project’s most talked-about tracks: “Don’t Let Me Drown.”

    The high-energy anthem from the African Giant arrives alongside an official music video filmed live at the FORMULA 1  crypto website , placing Burna in the centre of one of the world’s biggest sporting spectacles.

    “Don’t Let Me Drown” is one of 17 original songs from an elite global roster of artists including Ed Sheeran, ROSÉ, Tiësto, Sexyy Red, Roddy Ricch, Myke Towers, RAYE, and more. This soundtrack—curated by the award-winning team behind Barbie The Album—has already amassed over 300 million global streams ahead of the film’s opening weekend.

    Read Also: Burna Boy, Davido, Tems to headline Afro Nation Portugal

    This global moment for Burna Boy also sets the stage for his highly anticipated eighth studio album, No Sign of Weakness, dropping July 11. As the most streamed African artist globally and the only Nigerian artist to headline stadiums in New York, London, and Paris, Burna once again shows that his message and sound know no borders.

    From the streets of Port Harcourt to the silver screens of Hollywood, Burna Boy’s presence on this blockbuster soundtrack reinforces his role as a cultural ambassador of modern African excellence—carrying Afrofusion to the world.

    For Nigerian audiences, “Don’t Let Me Drown” is more than just another international feature—it’s another bold chapter in a legacy that keeps redefining global music through an African lens.