Regardless of the negativities, Nigeria is associated with, there are many good things that have come out of the West African nation. From music to movies (Nollywood) and to jollof rice, Nigeria is rich not only in natural resources but in culture and in talented citizens.
Nigerian music artists and songs are part of the country’s export to the world. The revenue from music in Nigeria is projected to generate $50 million (about N18 billion naira) by 2020, according to Premium Times citing a report by the Disruptive Creative Economy Meeting group. Many across the world have moved their bodies to Nigerian songs and the artists have registered their presence on major award platforms across the world.
With awards and recognition at major events across the world, 2019 was a big year for the Nigerian music industry. It was, particularly, a successful year for Afrobeat artist, Burna Boy.
Professionally known as Burna Boy, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, 29, was relatively unknown until 2012 when he released ‘like to party’, which later became the lead single in his debut studio album L.I.F.E in 2013. In 2017, he signed with Atlantic Records in the United States and Warner Music Group internationally. His third studio album, ‘Outside’, was the first he produced under a major-label.
In 2019, his fourth studio album, African Giant, won the Album of the year at the All Africa Music Awards and secured him a Grammy nomination which made him the tenth Nigeria-based artist to do so. He won the Best International Act category at the 2019 BET Awards.
The Port Harcourt born artist has had his talent and style of music criticised by many who compare him with artists such as Wizkid and Davido. Burna Boy has made controversial statements subtly taking swipes at other artists. While for some, Burna Boy is a misunderstood artist who wants his talent to be respected, others perceive him as one filled with pride and a sense of entitlement.
Burna Boy came under criticism when he declared he was the best after the Afro Beat legend, Fela Kuti. Some said he had not made enough socio-politically conscious music to qualify to make such a declaration.
“Fact! I always knew I was and I am THE BEST. Everyone you think is the best KNOWS I’m BEST since FELA KUTI. But @timayatimaya told me something long time ago that made me not about being the best. The World can do without the best. The world will still spin regardless,” Burna Boy stated.
In 2019, Burna Boy called out Coachella, an annual music and arts festival, for displaying his name in small fonts when some artists’ names appeared in large font. While some people described him as proud, others said he had the right to demand to be respected.
“@coachella I really appreciate you. But I don’t appreciate the way my name is written so small on your bill. I am an AFRICAN GIANT and will not be reduced to whatever that tiny writing means. Fix things quick please,” Burna Boy wrote.
While it is difficult to get everyone to agree on how talented Burna Boy is, most people would agree that hard work, persistence and luck have made him achieve fame and fortune. In seven years, managed by his mother, Burna Boy rose from being an underdog to one of Nigeria’s finest Afrobeat artist making way for a new generation of music artists just as others did for him.
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