Burna Boy apologises for Afrobeats comment that once sparked fierce debate, and in doing so, opens a fresh chapter with the genre that helped take African music global.
In a candid new interview with Eddie Kadi on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show, the Grammy-winning Nigerian star addressed his controversial 2023 remarks where he claimed Afrobeats “lacks substance” and suggested many artists in the space had “almost no real-life experiences.” Reflecting on the backlash, Burna Boy clarified that his words came from a narrow perspective at the time and not from a wish to undermine the genre.
“I didn’t understand then why everyone wanted my music in a single box,” Burna Boy admitted. “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.”
The focus keyword Burna Boy apologises for Afrobeats comment becomes more meaningful here: his apology isn’t just a statement, it’s a recognition of Afrobeats as a cultural force bigger than any single artist.
From division to understanding
Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, has long described his music as Afro-fusion, a mix of Afrobeats, reggae, dancehall, and more. Back in 2023, on Apple Music’s Zane Lowe Show, his criticism of Afrobeats sparked a social media storm and divided fans.
But in his new conversation, Burna Boy acknowledges the pain it caused: “The division it caused helped me come to terms with my opinion,” he explained. “I got the point of the Afrobeats tag in that moment. I get it now, and I apologise for that confusion.”
By repeating Burna Boy apologises for Afrobeats comment, we see how his shift isn’t just about brand management, but about accepting the power of shared identity: “I realise the role Afrobeats has played in putting all of us on the map. I respect that now more than ever.”
A dark place, and a turning point
Burna Boy revealed he was “in a dark place mentally” when he made the original remarks. “I wasn’t the happiest man in the world,” he shared. The comment that Afrobeats “lacks substance” now feels to him like it missed the genre’s bigger story.
For Burna Boy, the turning point came from seeing how the label “Afrobeats” united artists under a single flag, helping take Nigerian and African sounds to stadiums worldwide. In 2023, Burna became the first African artist to headline a UK stadium show, a moment that underlined the global appetite for Afrobeats.
New album, renewed embrace
With his latest album No Sign of Weakness, Burna Boy leans further into the Afrobeats sound he once questioned. “I learnt to embrace the fact that I will always be different,” he said. “I’m not going to be the favourite, but I’m going to be the best.”
This sense of acceptance threads through the focus keyword; Burna Boy apologises for the Afrobeats comment, a genuine acknowledgment of both his past stance and the path forward.
Beyond the studio, Burna Boy’s passion is performing live. “I want to be able to do this until I die,” he declared, pointing to legends like Coldplay and The Rolling Stones as inspiration. “Why don’t I see anyone that looks like me on those levels, at that age? And it’s simple, it might sound crazy, it’s because they just don’t love it as much as I do.”
An icon meets an idol
That love led Burna to invite Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger to feature on Empty Chairs, a track from his new album. “Mick Jagger is the rock star,” Burna said. “I felt he would understand where I was coming from lyrically, and he did.” Working with Jagger, now 81, was “one of the best experiences I’ve had,” Burna added.
On tour, on message
Now on a European and North American tour set to wrap by year’s end, Burna Boy carries his renewed message: Afrobeats isn’t a box, it’s a bridge. And while his sound remains Afro-fusion, he’s clearer than ever about why the genre matters.
“I apologise for the confusion,” he concluded. “I see now how important Afrobeats is for all of us.”
Burna Boy apologises for Afrobeats comment, and by doing so, shows that reflection and growth can become part of the global story of African music.
