Burna Boy Apologizes for Afrobeats Comments, Embraces Genre with New Album
A Trailblazer's Reflection
Nigerian singer-songwriter Burna Boy has issued an apology for comments he made earlier this year that distanced him from the Afrobeats genre. Known as a trailblazer who has played a pivotal role in bringing Afrobeats to a global audience, Burna faced significant backlash after a 2023 interview with Apple Music, where he described the genre as "lacking substance" and suggested that many artists within it had "almost no real-life experiences."
Realizations and Apologies
In a recent conversation with 1Xtra's Eddie Kadi, Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, reflected on the reaction to his comments, stating that it made him realize the importance of having an umbrella term to advance the Afrobeats movement. He acknowledged that he was in a "dark place mentally" when he made those remarks, admitting, “I wasn't the happiest man in the world.”
Burna expressed that the division his words caused helped him come to terms with his opinion on the genre. “I got the point of the Afrobeats tag in that moment,” he said, adding, “I totally get it and I apologize for that confusion.”
Embracing the Genre
Now, Burna Boy is content to embrace the Afrobeats label, which he leans into on his new album, No Sign of Weakness, released last week. He emphasized his desire to be recognized for his unique sound, stating, “I didn't understand why people wanted my music to be inside one box.” He compared the situation to comparing Socrates to Kendrick Lamar simply because they both rhyme, highlighting the complexity of musical genres.
Burna Boy, who made history in 2023 as the first African artist to headline a stadium show in the UK, has nearly 24 million monthly listeners on Spotify. He remains passionate about live performances, expressing his desire to continue performing for years to come. “I want to be able to do this until I die,” he declared, citing legendary acts like Coldplay and The Rolling Stones as inspirations.
A Dream Collaboration
In a nod to his rock influences, Burna Boy reached out to his idol, Mick Jagger, to feature on his new track, Empty Chairs. He described Jagger as “the rock star” and felt that the 81-year-old would understand the lyrical depth of the song. Working with Jagger was a highlight for Burna, who called it “one of the best experiences I've had.”
As he embarks on his European and North American tour, which is set to conclude at the end of the year, Burna Boy continues to solidify his place in the music industry while embracing the Afrobeats genre that has become synonymous with his name.