Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Burna Boy backtracks on Afrobeats diss, says “I get it now"

Burna Boy apologizes for Afrobeats criticism

Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has officially apologized for his controversial comments about Afrobeats, acknowledging that his previous views stemmed from a lack of understanding of the genre’s broader significance. 

Speaking on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi, the Nigerian superstar reflected on the backlash he faced after stating in a 2023 Apple Music interview with Zane Lowe that Afrobeats “lacked substance.” 

His statement stirred major debate in the music community, with many fans and artists expressing disappointment at what they saw as a dismissal of the genre’s cultural impact. 

Now, Burna Boy has offered a more nuanced perspective, explaining that his original comment was rooted in his long-standing effort to distinguish his music as Afro-fusion.

"I described my music as Afro-fusion because it was as if there was almost no place for it at home, and I had to create my own place for it,” he said, explaining his resistance to being boxed into the Afrobeats label. 

However, with more insight into the movement behind Afrobeats, Burna admitted that his perspective has shifted.

“I didn’t understand that we needed an umbrella term for what we were doing to actually get somewhere,” he said. 

“If I understood this, I would have gone about it differently because why would I want to destroy what I am building?” 

 He continued, “I didn’t understand why everyone wanted my music to be inside one box... I totally get it now and I apologize for that confusion.” 

Burna Boy's willingness to reflect and take accountability has been met with praise, with fans appreciating the clarity and maturity in his response. 

“I apologize for the confusion,” he added, noting that he now fully supports the use of Afrobeats as a unifying banner for the global rise of Nigerian music. 

The artist, who recently dropped his eighth studio album No Sign of Weakness, featuring collaborations with Mick Jagger, Travis Scott, and Stromae, is gearing up for a major tour across North America and Europe, where he will headline several iconic venues.

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