Burna Boy is the man we all love to hate but one can’t deny that his songs can make you forgive him regardless of his flaws and imperfection.
When Burna Boy broke into the music scene with “Love to party” in 2012, no one was prepared for the powerhouse he would become.
Burna Boy’s Miraculous catapult into international success could be attributed to Kanye West’s eighth solo album which bears the same name as Burna Boy’s 2018 “Ye“.
While Burna Boy is undeniably talented, his talent had yet to make a name for the singer. After the name mixup, Burna Boy saw massive streams and fans flow his way.
The singer had released the song as the sixth single for his third studio album, “Outside” and the song earned numerous awards that year.
While people were still enjoying the sweet vibes of Ye and thought-provoking, “Heaven’s Gate“, Coachella happened.
In 2019, Coachella had rolled the names of the artists that were billed to perform, and Burna Boy and Mr Eazi were the only Nigerian artists on the list.
However, Burna Boy surprised everyone when he lashed out at the organizers. His anger? His name was written in a small font.
He told them that while he appreciated being selected, he didn’t appreciate the fact that his name was written in small font as he is an African Giant.
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The literal Making and Success of African Giant
While Nigerians slammed him for his arrogance, Burna Boy took to the studio to compose what will be his best masterpiece, “African Giant“.
The 19 track album dished out tracks like “Anybody“, “Killin dem“, ” On the low“, “Dangote”, “Collateral Damage“, “Gum Body“, “Gbona” amongst others.
The Album seems for Burna Boy the best decision ever made as it clinched him a spot on the 2020 Grammy Award in the Best World Music Album category.
While he lost unfortunately to Angelique Kidjo, Burna Boy has achieved a level of success most Nigerian artists could dream of by being nominated.
African Giant was a different dimension from the other albums Burna Boy had been dropping. Each song had a purpose to fulfill and they didn’t miss their mark.
In “Anybody“, Burna Boy talked about the importance of being happy and not allowing anyone to spoil your vibe.
In “Dangote“, Burna Boy reference Nigerian Billionaire, Aliko Dangote and talk about the need to hustle harder. Adding that even Dangote himself still works for more money. He also speaks out against the level of poverty and oppression in the country.
In “Killin Dem” he enlists the help of Nigerian rapper, Zlatan to deliver a danceable and club-worthy song.
Burna Boy speaks against the corruption the British colonization brought upon Nigeria in “Another Story” and songs about the corruption that has eaten deep into Africa in “Collateral Damage“.
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Controversies
It won’t be unfair to say Burna Boy is one of Nigeria’s most controversial artists. He and Naira Marley might need to have an election to decide who will be crowned king of controversies.
Burna Boy on a good day might look like your normal celebrity but if history is anything, Burna Boy is unpredictable, rash, stubborn, and outspoken.
While sometimes it might not be intentional, Burna Boy has the tendency of putting himself on people’s bad side.
The Singer in just a space of two years after his Coachella outburst has on countless situations found himself embroiled in messy but hilarious controversies.
Earlier in the year, Social media users woke up to Burna Boy calling himself the best after late Fela Anikulapo Kuti which was a very bold thing to say.
When Nigerians expressed their disgruntlement with his statement, the singer went into the studio to release ‘Odogwu” a term which means ‘Chief” or “Big Man” in the Igbo language. A song where he brags of his achievement and the respect he commands.
Then there is that incident with Aristokrat Label artist, Ceeza Milla who claimed that he co-wrote “On the Low” with Burna Boy which mp3bullet.ng reported.
Burna Boy who didn’t take well with Ceeza’s revelation threatened him on social media claiming that Ceeza was lying and that he writes all of his songs with exception to the collaboration with Peruzzi.
He was also slammed for allegedly shading Davido for having a billionaire father and mocking Davido’s forthcoming album which is supposed to drop in July which was reported by Mp3bullet.ng.
However, Burna Boy’s outspoken nature has its advantages. Take for example when Nigeria found itself engaged in a battle of words with South Africans over Xenophobic attacks carried out on Nigerians living in South Africa.
Burna Boy had come to the defense of his fellow Nigerians even going as far as threatening not to step a foot in South Africa if something wasn’t done about the issue. He also engaged ina battle of words with South African rapper, AKA.
He was recently called by South African female singer, Sho Madjozi who claimed he ordered her remix of British rapper Stormzy’s Own It song be taken down as reported by Mp3bullet.ng.
The “Spirit up” singer claimed Burna Boy did that because they were nominated for the 2020 BET in the same category which is “Best International Act”.
Burna Boy in response said that he didn’t own the song and as such didn’t have the power to ask the song be brought down. He shifted the blame to his record label, Atlantic Records as reported by Mp3bullet.ng.
While no one knows for sure what really happened, Burna Boy on the other hand won the category for the second time in a row.
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In as much, Burna Boy might get on one’s nerve with his rash and somewhat arrogance statements, we can’t help but be forgiving anytime he shows us what he is made of.
When South African Music producer, Master KG dropped a teaser of his “Jerusalema remix” featuring Burna Boy, everyone felt a takeover coming. And just like it was predicted, Burna Boy proved that of a truth he is kind of an African Giant when the full song dropped.
His verse on the “Jerusalema Remix” even earned him the love of South Africans who were angry about his statements over the Xenophobia attacks.
His lasted release, “Wonderful” sees Burna Boy showing us a different side to his musical talent, letting us know that Burna Boy is an endless pandora box with secrets.
Burna Boy is supposed to drop another album in the month of July which he calls, “Twice as Tall”.
While Burna Boy might be the guy that gets on your nerves with his irrational and rash statements and behavior, his songs won’t let you stay angry at him. His talents are undeniably amazing.