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I got the name ‘Burna Boy’ because I wanted to be a character in the comic book – Burna Boy
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has shared the fascinating origin of his stage name during a light-hearted conversation with tennis legend Roger Federer in Zurich.
In the special “GOAT Talk” session, the Afrobeats star was asked which superhero he would choose as a partner. Without hesitation, he replied, “Black Panther.”
Burna Boy then opened up about his early love for comics, revealing that his passion for drawing superheroes as a child directly inspired his stage name.
“I used to draw superheroes when I was younger. I used to do the comic drawing of them. That’s how I got the name Burna Boy ’cause I wanted to be a character in the comic book,” he explained.
Asked what his superpower would be, he laughed and chose “fire and flames,” staying true to the energy he brings to his performances.
The singer, often celebrated as a cultural force, was likened to a “modern-day superhero” not for battling villains, but for using his music to uplift, inspire, and give hope to millions around the world.
During the interactive chat, Federer was also asked to name his GOAT (Greatest of All Time) footballers, to which he listed “Maradona, Zidane, Thierry Henry” as childhood idols, while noting the record-breaking feats of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Burna Boy, however, brought the conversation home by spotlighting Nigerian stars. His personal list of football greats included “Jay Jay Okocha, Victor Osimhen and Ronaldinho.”
The clip of Burna Boy celebrating Nigerian icons alongside global legends quickly went viral, drawing praise from fans who lauded him for putting African talent on the worldwide stage.
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