Nigerian music sensation, Damini Ogulu, known by fans as Burna Boy, has faced backlash for his recent statements on the Afrobeats genre.
In a YouTube interview aired on Monday with Disk Jockey, Zane Lowe, Burna Boy delved deep into his musical journey and shed light on his forthcoming album, “I Told Them.” Reflecting on the album’s title, Ogulu mentioned it was a message to skeptics from his homeland who doubted his musical prowess. Drawing a parallel, he said, “A Prophet is not really recognised in his own home,” highlighting the criticisms and disbelief he faced when he started his career.
Lowe, probing further, questioned why Burna thought peers from his music community, despite sharing similar experiences, failed to appreciate his talent. Burna’s response was sharp: “Not even experiences because 90% of them have no real-life experiences that they can understand.” He controversially opined that a large portion of Afrobeats, or “African music as you people call it,” is essentially “about nothing.”
Further elaborating, Burna Boy stated that most songs in the genre lacked depth, merely portraying good times. “Life is not an amazing time,” he emphasized, underlining the belief that music should capture the full spectrum of human emotions – the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Burna gave fans a hint that his new album would offer a candid look into his personal experiences, serving as “a window” into his life.
While the Grammy-award winner has already released several singles from “I Told Them,” set for release on Friday, it’s his remarks on the genre that has dominated headlines, sparking debates about authenticity, representation, and respect within the African music scene.
