Nigerian singer Mr Eazi has revealed why he intentionally avoids listening to music from fellow Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy, despite being one of his biggest admirers.
Speaking during a recent episode of the Afropolitan Podcast, Mr Eazi explained that his decision has nothing to do with rivalry or bad blood. Instead, he said it comes from a desire to protect his own creative identity as an artist.
According to him, Burna Boy’s artistry is so powerful and influential that he worries constant exposure to his music could unconsciously shape his own sound.
“Burna is one of the only guys that I like, I’m genuinely a fan of. I don’t even like to listen to Burna. I’ve said it before, because I’m a sponge. If I listen to so much Burna, you will hear it in my music so I try my best to stay away from Burna,” he stated.
“I don’t like listening to Burna Boy’s songs —I’ve said it before, I don’t want my music to start sounding like his.”
— Mr Eazi pic.twitter.com/jUQdgKcsaV
— carter🌚 (@carter6f) May 7, 2026
The comment has sparked conversation among fans online, with many interpreting it as a sign of deep respect rather than competition. Some listeners also praised Mr Eazi for being self-aware about the creative influence artists can have on one another within the music industry.
Both stars have previously collaborated on “Miss You Bad”, a standout track from Mr Eazi’s 2018 project Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos To London, a song that blended Burna Boy’s emotionally textured delivery with Eazi’s laid-back Afropop style.
Over the years, Burna Boy’s sound has become one of the most recognisable exports from Africa, influencing artists across different genres and regions. Mr Eazi’s remarks now offer a rare glimpse into how even fellow musicians carefully manage the influences around them while trying to maintain originality in an increasingly interconnected Afrobeats scene.