Grammy-winning Nigerian artist, Burna Boy, has offered a heartfelt apology for his past comments about Afrobeats, clarifying that his words were never meant to diminish the genre but rather to define his own musical identity.
In a recent conversation on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi, which began trending on Tuesday, the Afro-fusion star provided fresh insight into the intentions behind his earlier remarks that sparked backlash.
“I described my music as Afro-fusion because it felt like there was no space for it back home, so I had to carve my own niche,” Burna Boy explained.
His earlier comments, particularly the claim that Afrobeats lacked lyrical depth, had stirred criticism, but Burna Boy now admits those statements were misinterpreted and made from a limited understanding of the genre’s global significance.
“I didn’t understand then why everyone wanted my music in a single box. I didn’t know we needed an umbrella term to take our music forward globally. If I had understood that, I would’ve approached it differently,” he said.
The singer had faced major backlash in 2023 after telling Apple Music’s Zane Lowe that Afrobeats was often devoid of substance.
But now, Burna Boy appears to have had a change of perspective, acknowledging Afrobeats’ importance in promoting African music worldwide.
“Why would I want to destroy what I’m building? I apologise for the confusion,” he said in the interview.
Reflecting on his growth and evolving outlook, Burna Boy expressed renewed appreciation for the genre and its impact on his journey and the broader African music scene.
“I realise the role Afrobeats has played in putting all of us on the map. I respect that now more than ever,” he stressed.