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BNXN Opens Up on Afrobeats, Burna Boy’s Influence, and the Vision Behind His Upcoming Album “CAPTAIN.”

Nigerian singer and songwriter BNXN has shed light on his artistic evolution, the global surge of Afrobeats, and the inspiration behind his album, “CAPTAIN,” in a candid interview with the Grammy Recording Academy.
The ‘Finesse‘ hitmaker delved into his creative process, emphasizing the steady rise of Afrobeats on the world stage.
BNXN applauded the new generation of artists pushing the genre forward internationally, giving props to Burna Boy, Rema, Asake, and Tems for their unique contributions.
“Afrobeats has been doing super amazing,” BNXN noted during the conversation. “But Tems is a great export because she’s been able to bridge R\&B with Nigerian beats. Songs like ‘Love Me JeJe’ are proper fusion.”
While acknowledging the genre’s evolution, BNXN pointed out that its scope is now more fluid, blending with global genres like R\&B, thanks to artists like Tems, who are stretching sonic boundaries.
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On a personal level, the singer spoke about his aspirations, revealing that although he believes in his abilities, he prefers to let his work speak louder than self-promotion.
“I feel like I am one of the best, I just don’t know how to blow that trumpet,” he confessed.
BNXN also touched on the hip-hop undercurrents in his forthcoming project. He cited Burna Boy’s high-octane delivery on tracks like ‘City Boy‘ as a major influence on his experimentation with new sounds for “CAPTAIN.”
“Hip-hop used to be very core in Nigeria, and I love Burna Boy so much. His energy inspired me to experiment, and that spirit is part of CAPTAIN,” he shared.
The project title, “CAPTAIN,” holds special meaning. Initially coined as a nickname by close friends, the title gradually transformed into a symbol of leadership, confidence, and navigating the complexities of the music world.
“I see myself as this pirate, a captain on a ship navigating the ocean of the music industry,” he explained.
Promising a genre-bending mix of Afrobeats, hip-hop, and raw personal storytelling, BNXN’s “CAPTAIN” is shaping up to be a bold reflection of his artistic growth and the ever-changing landscape of Nigerian music.
🌟 Nigerian artist @BNXN has set his sights on global dominance, and is charting a course for maximum impact.
🎶 Ahead of the release of his new album, BNXN talks about the record, bringing more hip-hop into Afro-fusion, and where he wants the African music industry to go:… pic.twitter.com/VYamWvf1ZD
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) July 1, 2025
