Burna Boy apologises for past comments on Afrobeats

Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has issued a public apology for previously distancing himself from the Afrobeats genre, admitting that his earlier comments were made without a full understanding of the term’s significance.

Speaking in a recent interview on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi, Burna Boy expressed regret over his 2023 remarks in which he said Afrobeats “lacked substance.”

At the time, the statement drew widespread criticism from fans and industry figures alike.

Explaining the intent behind his original comment, Burna Boy said his choice to identify his sound as “Afro-fusion” stemmed from a belief that his music didn’t quite fit the conventional Afrobeats label, which he felt didn’t fully represent his unique blend of styles.

“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.

However, the artist now acknowledges a broader understanding of the term “Afrobeats”—not just as a genre, but as a unifying movement to promote Nigerian music on the global stage.

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

He said that realisation helped him better appreciate the backlash to his earlier comments.

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

Taking full responsibility, he added, “I apologise for the confusion.”

Burna Boy’s candid admission marks a moment of accountability, providing context for his controversial stance while reaffirming his support for the genre’s growth and impact.

The Twice As Tall star recently released his 8th studio album, No Sign of Weakness, which features international heavyweights such as Mick Jagger, Travis Scott, and Stromae.

He is also set to embark on a North American and European tour, performing at major venues as part of his global outreach.